title: Development and use of a virtual NMR facility.
abstract: We have developed a "virtual NMR facility" (VNMRF) to enhance access to the NMR spectrometers in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL). We use the term virtual facility to describe a real NMR facility made accessible via the Internet. The VNMRF combines secure remote operation of the EMSL's NMR spectrometers over the Internet with real-time videoconferencing, remotely controlled laboratory cameras, real-time computer display sharing, a Web-based electronic laboratory notebook, and other capabilities. Remote VNMRF users can see and converse with EMSL researchers, directly and securely control the EMSL spectrometers, and collaboratively analyze results. A customized Electronic Laboratory Notebook allows interactive Web-based access to group notes, experimental parameters, proposed molecular structures, and other aspects of a research project. This paper describes our experience developing a VNMRF and details the specific capabilities available through the EMSL VNMRF. We show how the VNMRF has evolved during a test project and present an evaluation of its impact in the EMSL and its potential as a model for other scientific facilities. All Collaboratory software used in the VNMRF is freely available from www.emsl.pnl.gov:2080/docs/collab.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Pelton
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bair
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Wemmer
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D020407:Internet; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D012984:Software