Dr. Yarger's research program is interested in understanding the role that local structure and dynamics plays in controlling the physical and mechanical properties of a wide range of technologically and biologically important, but disordered, materials. Systems currently under investigation include embiid and spider silk fibers and biopolymers, protein clusters, polyamorphic materials, hydrogen storage complexes, inorganic liquid-crystals, nano-particles and quantum dots, battery and fuel cell materials. Most of this research is highly interdisciplinary and many projects involve collaborations with the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source and the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory and with other faculty in Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Science, Physics and Molecular Biology. Central to ongoing research is the use and development of solid-state NMR and MRI techniques applied to elucidate local structure and dynamics in disordered materials.
Project Happenings in the Lab:
Extreme High Pressure Lab with Emmanuel Soignard
The work being done here is to find out how atoms and molecules react to extreme pressures, in the Megabar range. Diamond anvil cells are used to compress both solids and liquids to these immense pressures. Once the material has been pressurized it is analyzed with Raman Spectroscopy which reveals energy shifts in vibrational and rotational energy of the sample.
Dissolution of Spider Silk in Ionic Solution with John Blanchard
The objective of this activity is to find a solvent that can dissolve the spider silk properly without destroying its molecular structure. The fundamental structure of a spider silk is likened to that of a polymer comprised primarily of protein bound by several complex organic compounds. We want to figure out what dissolves these organic compounds but will keep the structure of the spider silk intact. For this experiment, we will use DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry). This is a photo of the DSC:
This technique measures the difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference. Both the sample and reference are maintained at nearly the same temperature throughout the experiment. Generally, the temperature program for a DSC analysis is designed such that the sample holder temperature increases linearly as a function of time. The reference sample should have a well-defined heat capacity over the range of temperatures to be scanned. We will also use the the NMR or the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy allows us to see fine details of molecular structure by placing a molecular sample into an ultra-high magnetic field created by the NMR magnet. Once in the magnetic field, atoms in the molecule interact with the magnetic field, creating an energy, which can then be detected. Through observing and measuring this energy, researchers are able to determine the molecule’s structure and how it interacts with other molecules.
Embiid Silk Analysis
Web-spinning insects called embiids are the newest study specimens at the MRRC. These little known insects produce elaborate silk tunnels and chambers in which they travel and lay eggs. Although found many places throughout the world, including the southern United States, embiids are rarely observed because of their hidden habitats. Researchers at the MRRC are raising colonies of embiids (Antipaluria urichi from Trinidad), and collecting their silk for protein structure analysis.
Embiid silk tunnels
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Center
Led By Dr. Jeffery YargerMSTF Team:
Dr. Yarger's research program is interested in understanding the role that local structure and dynamics plays in controlling the physical and mechanical properties of a wide range of technologically and biologically important, but disordered, materials. Systems currently under investigation include embiid and spider silk fibers and biopolymers, protein clusters, polyamorphic materials, hydrogen storage complexes, inorganic liquid-crystals, nano-particles and quantum dots, battery and fuel cell materials. Most of this research is highly interdisciplinary and many projects involve collaborations with the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source and the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory and with other faculty in Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Science, Physics and Molecular Biology. Central to ongoing research is the use and development of solid-state NMR and MRI techniques applied to elucidate local structure and dynamics in disordered materials.
Project Happenings in the Lab:
Extreme High Pressure Lab with Emmanuel Soignard
The work being done here is to find out how atoms and molecules react to extreme pressures, in the Megabar range. Diamond anvil cells are used to compress both solids and liquids to these immense pressures. Once the material has been pressurized it is analyzed with Raman Spectroscopy which reveals energy shifts in vibrational and rotational energy of the sample.
Dissolution of Spider Silk in Ionic Solution with John Blanchard
The objective of this activity is to find a solvent that can dissolve the spider silk properly without destroying its molecular structure.The fundamental structure of a spider silk is likened to that of a polymer comprised primarily of protein bound by several complex organic compounds.
We want to figure out what dissolves these organic compounds but will keep the structure of the spider silk intact.
For this experiment, we will use DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry). This is a photo of the DSC:
This technique measures the difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference. Both the sample and reference are maintained at nearly the same temperature throughout the experiment. Generally, the temperature program for a DSC analysis is designed such that the sample holder temperature increases linearly as a function of time. The reference sample should have a well-defined heat capacity over the range of temperatures to be scanned.
We will also use the the NMR or the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy allows us to see fine details of molecular structure by placing a molecular sample into an ultra-high magnetic field created by the NMR magnet. Once in the magnetic field, atoms in the molecule interact with the magnetic field, creating an energy, which can then be detected. Through observing and measuring this energy, researchers are able to determine the molecule’s structure and how it interacts with other molecules.
Embiid Silk Analysis
Web-spinning insects called embiids are the newest study specimens at the MRRC. These little known insects produce elaborate silk tunnels and chambers in which they travel and lay eggs. Although found many places throughout the world, including the southern United States, embiids are rarely observed because of their hidden habitats. Researchers at the MRRC are raising colonies of embiids (Antipaluria urichi from Trinidad), and collecting their silk for protein structure analysis.
Embiid silk tunnels
Antipaluria urichi