The Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) has received an $18 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop an advanced research facility that could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, energy storage and manufacturing.
The investment will fund a new 23.5-tesla nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnet, one of the strongest in the United States. The facility will allow scientists to examine the structure and behavior of materials at the atomic level with greater sensitivity and precision.
“This grant will fund an instrument that is unique in the world. It’s a significant milestone and exciting news for the MagLab, FSU and the U.S. as a whole,” said Frederic Mentink-Vigier, the project’s lead researcher and an affiliated faculty member in FSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Nuclear magnetic resonance technology uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to study molecules and materials. The new equipment will provide capabilities that could accelerate research into Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and other medical conditions.
Scientists will also be able to examine elements such as lithium and sodium used in advanced batteries, along with materials important to solar panels, electronics and medical treatments.
The facility will combine two advanced techniques — magic angle spinning and dynamic nuclear polarization — to improve the quality and speed of scientific measurements. According to MagLab officials, the combination will make the facility the only one of its kind in the world.
The new magnet is scheduled for installation in 2028, with researchers gaining access in 2029.
The investment also reinforces Tallahassee’s position as an international center for scientific research. The MagLab, funded by the NSF and the State of Florida, serves more than 1,600 academic researchers and companies annually and provides training opportunities for students pursuing careers in science and engineering.
“Our NMR program is already known for its unparalleled equipment and expertise,” said MagLab Director Kathleen Amm. “This will only expand what’s possible for top scientists from around the world who come here to push the boundaries in biology and other disciplines.”
The project also honors former MagLab NMR Facility Director Robert Schurko, who died in February 2026 following a battle with cancer. Schurko helped develop the vision for the new facility.
Images:
Lead Picture: An AI/artistic rendering of the new solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance magnet system to be installed at the National MagLab. (Alexandre Poulhazan/Gemini AI)
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