Thanks for all of you who responded so quickly and so friendly to my query
regarding relocation of the nmr lab. Once again, AMMRLers have distinguished
themselves by responding in droves to a question from a member. There were
92 responses (!!!). The replies I got were very helpful. If there is enough
interest, I will dump all of the individual responses into a file and post
them, or make them available upon request. The following is a statistical
summary of the responses. I hope somebody may be interested to read it.
Thanks again.
Karol
Karol Maskos
Coordinated Instrumentation Facility (CIF)
605 Lindy Boggs Bldg.
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
NMR: 504-865-5142
e-mail: maskos@loopy.bioc.tulane.edu
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SUMMARY:
...The suggested solution is to move the entire nmr unit (magnet and
console) to the 7th floor where the buildings compressors, AC units,
water pumps and all the other heavy-duty vibrations making machinery
is located. Isn't it crazy idea?
"...INSANE. UNWORKABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. TOTALLY
UNJUSTIFIABLE..."
I. UNIT
a) university (college) - 64
b) research institute - 11
c) company (R&D unit) - 17
II. MAGNET(S):
500 MHz unshielded - 87
500 MHz shielded - 5
III. LOCATION
a) inside - 88
b) outside of the main building - 4
b1. Single storey area of the main building. Actually there is less
vibration so it is better for us.
b2. We are in half of a separate building but it was not built for
NMR. We are here because that is where there was room. We were
not forced to move but we did because this space was
siginificantly larger.
b3. Outside of the main building because they have seven whole body
scanners (the 4T whole body 20 gauss line goes out about 40 feet
and the 1.5 gauss about 100).
b4. We got the special building when we explained that it would not
work. We had to move it .... away from the place where the
heavy-duty vibrations making machinery is located.
IV. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FORCED TO MOVE THE NMR FACILITY?
a) NO - 79
b) YES - 3
c) In ten cases the magnet(s) or entire nmr lab have been
relocated for the reasons explained below.
b1. Yes, but only because a physical chemist (chairman) wanted our
lab space.
b2. Yes. They had more pull in the dean's office and finally we had
to move.
b3. We have had to move a particular magnet to a new position in
the same facility due to complaints from staff on the floor above the
facility. There have been numerous complaints from the various labs
that have used the space above us - monitor problems, staff member
with metal pin in leg, and faculty with EMF fear.
c1. Yes, BUT it was to nice, brand new lab, and both the lab
construction and moving costs were paid for by the
administration. It was more of a general renovation than an
attempt to deal with health concerns.
c2. ... only when a new Chem. Bldg. was finished and not into
"leper colony", but the ground floor of the new building to
minimized vibration problems.
c3. Yes, but not because of complaints about field, but rather
general space considerations.
c4. We have 15 magnets on the campus - currently moving 2 systems
but not because of problems related to the fields.
c5. We moved when the building was being renovated to a location
more central in the building, eg. from a wing off the
basement to the 1st floor center hallway.
c6. Yes - TO MAKE ROOM FOR MORE MAGNETS.
c7. Yes. Only because of the animal exps. The site was not up to
standards required for live animal studies and moving had
nothing to do with the magnet.
c8. 5 years ago we completly renovated the lab at a cost of $400k.
c9. Yes. The NMR facility was previously housed in an old building,
5 min walk from the NMR customers, who were in a new building.
When we upgraded the facility, one condition was that we
moved into the new building, CLOSER to the chemists.
c10. We joyfully moved the 300 and WB 200 system to join their
sisters in the new building.