3D-Printable centrifugal devices for biomolecular solid state NMR rotors

Area of Science:

• Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
• Biomolecular structure determination
• Materials science and engineering

Background:

• High magic angle spinning (MAS) rates (>100 kHz) enhance resolution in 1H-detected solid-state NMR for biomolecules.
• Sample preparation, particularly packing rotors, presents challenges due to biomolecular sample properties and small rotor dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate 3D-printable centrifugal devices for efficient and consistent packing of biomolecular samples into 0.7 mm rotors.
• To address challenges in preparing samples for high-speed MAS solid-state NMR experiments.
• To provide accessible tools for the solid-state NMR community.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of 3D-printable centrifugal packing devices.
• Utilizing crystalline protein slurries and viscous phospholipid samples.
• Demonstration using 1H-detected solid-state NMR at 105 kHz MAS rates.

Main Results:

• Successful design and implementation of centrifugal packing devices for 0.7 mm rotors.
• Demonstrated efficient and consistent packing of biomolecular samples.
• Developed devices for various rotor sizes and styles, confirming efficacy at 105 kHz MAS.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printable centrifugal devices significantly improve biomolecular sample packing for high-speed MAS solid-state NMR.
• Openly accessible designs promote community collaboration and further development.
• These tools facilitate higher resolution biomolecular solid-state NMR studies.