Shuttle for NMR MAS Rotor Transport System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NMR spectroscopy systems require separate and laborious conversion of transport systems when switching between liquid and solid sample analysis, necessitating different transport systems and automation devices for NMR spectroscopy of liquids and solids.
Innovation Solution
A shuttle with a geometric design compatible with both HR-NMR sample spinners and NMR MAS rotors, equipped with a locking device that allows for seamless transfer and handling of MAS rotors within the same transport system, enabling the use of a single transport system for both liquid and solid sample analysis without conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate transport systems are used for liquid and solid NMR spectroscopy, then each transport system can be optimized for its specific sample type, but the device complexity and conversion labor increase when switching between analysis types
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle is designed with a universal geometric shape that is compatible with both HR-NMR sample spinners and NMR MAS rotors, allowing a single transport system to handle both liquid and solid sample analysis types without requiring separate dedicated transport systems or complex conversions
2Ease of operation
If separate automation devices are provided for liquid and solid NMR spectroscopy, then each automation device can be specialized for its sample type, but the loss of time and labor increase when changing between analysis types
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle serves as a universal interface that works with both liquid sample spinners and solid MAS rotors in the same transport system, eliminating the need for separate automation devices and enabling rapid switching between analysis types without time-consuming conversions
3Device complexity
If the same transport system is used for both liquid and solid NMR spectroscopy, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different sample types becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle is designed with a universal geometric shape that is compatible with both HR-NMR sample spinners and NMR MAS rotors, allowing a single transport system to handle both liquid and solid sample analysis types without requiring separate dedicated transport systems or complex conversions
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the transport system and different sample types (spinners or rotors), providing the necessary adaptability to handle both liquid and solid NMR spectroscopy samples within a unified transport system
4Device complexity
If MAS rotor is transported separately from the probe head, then the transport system can be simplified, but the space requirement within the probe head increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle combines the transport function with the rotor holding function in a single integrated component, allowing the MAS rotor to be transported within the shuttle rather than requiring separate transport mechanisms and reducing the space requirement within the probe head
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device for transporting an NMR sample to the probe head (16) of an NMR spectrometer by means of a transport system (12) is characterized in that the transport device comprises a shuttle (15) adapted for use with a transport system. The transport system is structured to transport an HR-NMR sample spinner or an NMR MAS rotor (5). The shuttle includes a locking device for the NMR MAS rotor, the locking device being formed such that the NMR MAS rotor is released by unlocking the locking device and can be transferred to and received by the NMR MAS probe head. It is therefore possible to rapidly change from NMR spectroscopy of liquids to NMR spectroscopy of solids, and vice versa, simply by exchanging the probe head, without converting the transport system.