Waterloo Advanced Analytical Research Facility (WAARF)

A core research facility at the University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo Advanced Analytical Research Facility (WAARF) is a University-wide core research facility whose mission is to provide advanced analytical instrumentation, technical expertise, and research support in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to the UWaterloo research community and to external academic, industrial, and government partners. WAARF supports research across chemistry, materials science, biology, medicine, and engineering.

Learn more about our services and instrumentation

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility

Bruker 700 MHz instrument with cryoprobe.

Bruker combined liquids/solids 500 MHz NMR instrument.

Bruker 300 MHz instrument.

Bruker 300 MHz instrument with sample holder.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility services are available to both internal and external users. Most of the equipment is run by trained graduate and undergraduate students. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) personnel are also available to assist with complicated or new experiments and for running external users' samples.

The NMR facility currently has four superconducting NMR spectrometers and a helium recovery system:

Bruker Ascend 300 MHz instrument (300A) in C2-378
Bruker Ultrashield 300 MHz instrument (300B) in C2-378
Bruker Avance 500 MHz instrument (500) in C2-378
Bruker Ultrashield 700 MHz instrument (700) in C2-170
Helium Recovery System (HeRS) in C2-1006

Mass Spectrometry Facility

High-resolution hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer with APCI, DART and ESI ion sources and UPLC.

High-resolution hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer with integrated Travelling Wave Ion Mobility (TWIM), combined ESI and APCI (ESCI) ion source and UPLC. AP GC/MS has recently been added.

Low-resolution Linear Ion Trap with ESI, APCI and MSn and a Vanquish Core UPLC (infusion and LC/MS).

Low-resolution Linear Ion Trap with ESI and MSn for infusion.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (EI and CI GC/MS) quadrupole system.

The University of Waterloo Mass Spectrometry Facility (UWMSF) provides instrumentation and expertise to the University of Waterloo and the surrounding research community.

The Facility is equipped with various systems covering a wide range of capabilities, from API based systems (ESI, APCI, and ESCI) to high vacuum systems coupled to UPLC and GC:

Waters Synapt G2Si HDMS QTof: High-resolution hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer with integrated Travelling Wave Ion Mobility (TWIM), combined ESI and APCI (ESCI) ion source and UPLC. AP GC/MS.
Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive Orbitrap: High-resolution hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer with APCI, DART and ESI ion sources and UPLC.
Thermo Scientific LTQ-XL: Low-resolution Linear Ion Trap with ESI, APCI and MSⁿ and a Vanquish Core UPLC (infusion and LC/MS).
Low-resolution Linear Ion Trap with ESI and MSn for infusion.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (EI and CI GC/MS) quadrupole system.

Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Facility

Bruker Kappa APEX II diffractometer with the APEX II CCD detector for small molecules.

Rigaku RU-H3R coupled to a RaxisIV++ image plate detector for macromolecules.

The Single Crystal X-ray Facility supports researchers by offering a full service and training for crystal structure determination of small molecules: organic, inorganic, coordination, organometallics and solid-state materials.

We also provide full service and consultation for chemical industry e.g., pharmaceutical products etc.

The Facility hosts a Bruker Kappa APEX II for small molecule and Rigaku for macromolecule at room and low temperature and a Rigaku RU-H3R coupled to a RaxisIV++ image plate detector for macromolecules.