Thank you Ammrl for all the suggestions, and sound advice on VT automation. You just boosted my confident level. We have sample changer, nitrogen gas separator connected to the compressed air, BSVT with BCU I unit which cool to 0 degree C. I received 29 responses. There are 2 facilities that do not allow VT under automation (IconNMR), they control VT directly from TopSpin for cautious reasons. Most of you suggested the following
1. Variable VT is possible from IconNMR, there are provisions within IconNMR for VT experiments, stabilizing times, and temperature ramps.
2. Setup a delay to 240 or 300 s so that temperature stabilize before locking and shimming etc.
3. Set the fail safe, max and min temp and ramp rate.
4. NMR facility manager test the VT limits under automation, fix bugs before training user for VT experiment.
5. Give VT specific training to advance user. VT experiments must be supervised until the user are comfortable to be on his/her own.
6. Set temperature limit for automation from 25 - 80 degree C. Anything below ambient or above 80 degree C, recommend using TopSpin. Probably need LN2.
7. VT overnight is alright, but recommend grouping samples of similar temperature together to prevent the probe form experience too many heating/cooling cycles.
8. User should wait until temperature is stabilized, then allow to leave and periodically monitor the experiment, either from remote control or teamviewer or other program.
9. VT can run away, and too many things can go wrong, so proceed cautiously, make clear to the user/professor that it's on his own risk, make them responsible for any accidents of neglect that occur when they are not present.
Great suggestions. I will have to test VT first and set limits. Users cannot walk away before temperature is stabilized. I agree it's best to have them check periodically and put responsibility on professor regardless of automation.
Hla Win-Piazza, Ph.D.
Western Washington University
Organic Lab Coordinator
360-650-2261
Received on Mon Jun 06 2016 - 10:38:32 MST