Pneumatic NMR tube spinner

thingiverse

The pneumatic spinner takes standard 5 mm NMR tubes and turns them using a lab compressed air supply. The rotation may not be entirely smooth, although this could likely be improved if the inside of the pneumatic spinner and tube holder are polished to a smooth finish. Please watch the videos below for further clarification. This setup was utilized extensively in infrared photochemistry work where the spinning sample was exposed to an infrared source (see video below). Spinning the sample causes mixing and ensures that every part of the sample receives approximately equal exposure. Irregular rotation, with occasional stops and starts, actually probably enhances mixing. The optional reflector is inspired by the design of a Coblentz sphere. The present reflector is far from an ideal design: the opening to the sphere was tailored to the diameter of the infrared source I used, and coating the inside with crumpled aluminum foil does not provide for optimal focusing of radiation that missed the NMR tube on its first pass back to the tube. However, it probably increases the fraction of emitted radiation that hits the sample to some extent, and it can't possibly hurt. The reflector sphere can naturally be omitted (for example, if you're using a source with a more suitable geometry). Print Settings Printer Brand: RepRap Printer: Ormerod 2 Rafts: No Supports: No