Under the leadership of Damodaran Achary, the NMR Facility has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a small, outdated lab to a state-of-the-art facility. His vision, coupled with a series of strategic initiatives and upgrades, has significantly enhanced the facility's capabilities and impact on research. Here are some key milestones in this transformative journey.

• New Probe from Quad Systems 2024

  I was successful in securing funding for the purchase of a 400 MHz Broadband probe.
  
  With a limited budget, I worked with Quad Systems to achieve good specs and have the probe installed.

• More Accessories 2023

  I leveraged my connections and successfully acquired a used 300 MHz autotune NMR probe and an autosampler as donation, enhancing our facility's capabilities and saving the department substantial funds.

• High Throughput Autosampler 2022

  Successful in securing funding for a Samplecase Plus autosampler for the 500 MHz spectrometer. This 60-sample changer has enabled high-throughput analysis.

• Embracing Sustainability – Helium Recovery 2021

  Completed a challenging project: connecting all nine NMR magnets to a helium recovery system to conserve this vital, non-renewable resource.
  
  This involved comprehensive planning, design, and testing of back pressure regulators, bypass valves, and low-pressure relief valves.

• NMR Facility expaaaaaands with 9th NMR Spectrometer! 2020

  Acquired an unused 400 MHz AV-III HD spectrometer from third party for the undergraduate lab at almost half the cost of a new system.
  
  Proud to build and grow the NMR facility to this stage from humble beginnings 15 years ago!

• Enhancing User Experience 2019

  I successfully upgraded computer hardware and software on all 300, 400, and 500 MHz spectrometers and processing stations, significantly enhancing performance and user experience.
  
  Implemented separate SSDs for operating systems and HDDs for data storage to ensure faster operation.
  
  These self-directed upgrades saved tens of thousands of dollars in service contract fees.

• New 300 MHz NMR Probe 2018

  I was successful in securing funds for a new 300 MHz BBFO probe, replacing a 25-year-old probe and enabling increased capabilities and throughput. My proposal was selected from an internal competition for small equipment funds.

• Space Optimization 2017

  I redesigned and reorganized the 700 MHz lab to accommodate the 500WB spectrometer from another lab, freeing up valuable space. Worked with Bruker to move the 500WB smoothly.

• Speeding Up 2D NMR 2016

  Implemented Sparse/Non-Uniform Sampling (NUS) through software, hardware, and firmware upgrades on the 500 MHz spectrometer, significantly accelerating 2D NMR experiments (4-8 times faster).

• 700 Gets Reenergized! 2015

  The 700 MHz magnet experienced a slow self-quench. This is the second instance, the first occurring in 2009. I worked with Bruker to get it back to field.
  
  Maintaining a large, state-of-the-art high field NMR facility is no easy task!

• More toys 2014

  Acquired a new autosampler, high-resolution shim stack, and BBO (H/F) probe for the 500WB spectrometer (funded as part of my DOE grant).
  
  The autosampler significantly increased throughput, while the BBO probe provided unique 13C and 19F decoupling capabilities.

• New Home for NMR Lab 2013

  I oversaw the successful relocation of the NMR facility (including 300, 400A, 400B, 500, and 600 MHz spectrometers) to a new, dedicated space (CSC 450) named the CIC.
  
  I competed for a $100,000 instrumentation fund from the US-DOE/NETL and was awarded based on my ongoing research projects with them.

• Embracing Solid-State NMR 2012

  I assumed responsibility for maintaining and operating the 500 MHz Wide Bore Solid-State NMR spectrometer after the departure of a solid state NMR faculty member.
  
  This expanded the NMR facility to eight spectrometers.

• Time for throughput 2011

  My next goal was to improve efficiency. To achieve this, two autosamplers for the 300 and 400 models were purchased to maximize throughput. The autosamplers became very popular among users as they greatly simplified data collection.
  
  I also successfully secured funding for a new Smart Probe (BBFO-Plus) for the 600 MHz spectrometer, now the standard probe for observing a wide range of nuclei.

• Major NMR Upgrade 2010

  Our grant for the major NMR upgrade gets funded.
  
  I oversaw the installation of two new 400 MHz and one 500 MHz Avance-III spectrometers, a new 300 MHz magnet, and an Avance-III console for the 600 MHz spectrometer, significantly enhancing facility capabilities.

• Leading Transformation 2009

  Collaborated with colleagues to secure a $1 million grant proposal for a major NMR upgrade, including replacing old magnets and consoles with modern Avance-III systems.
  
  Worked with faculty members and administrators to secure additional funds to fully support my major NMR upgrade plan.

• Ushering into High-Field (700 MHz) 2008

  Worked with Bruker to install a new 700 MHz NMR spectrometer and upgraded a DPX300 console to Avance-III.
  
  Worked extensively with Pitt facilities to develop a new 700 lab space that includes specific details from the magnet's sitting area to plumbing for all utilities.

• Securing Funding and new Staff 2007

  Spearheaded the planning and purchase of a new 700 MHz AV-III spectrometer through an NIH grant led by Prof. Dennis Curran.
  
  Hired Ms. Sage Bowser as the new NMR assistant

• Transformation Starts 2006

  Secured a $100,000 budget to modernize the NMR facility, focusing on:
  
  Acquired and installed a used 300 MHz magnet to revitalize one of the DPX300 spectrometers, the magnet for which had quenched before my arrival.
  
  Updated all spectrometers for improved user experience. This involved:(a) Upgrading the INDY/O2 IRIX workstations to Window XP (b) Transitioning from XWINNMR to Topspin and (c) Both of the above required upgrade of several boards on the NMR console. Most importantly, I did this entire upgrade in-house, saving tens of thousands of dollars.
  
  An NMR assistant position ws created and Dr. Macduff Okuom is hired.

• New Leadership 2005

  Damodaran Krishnan Achary takes over as Director of the NMR facility.
  
  At this time, the NMR facility consisted primarily of aging (15-20 years old) unshielded Oxford magnets with DRX/DPX consoles, running XWINNMR software on INDY and O2 SGI computers with IRIX operating system. Equipment included a DRX600, DRX500, three DPX300s, and one unusable DPX300 lacking a magnet (quenched the previous year).