Abiy’s first proposal

• KENpost AbYe
  • Establishment of Instrumentation Centre at our department
    ” To equip the centre with state-of-the-art Analytical Chemistry Instruments; To provide Analytical Chemistry Services to Research Institutions, Students and Industry within Eastern Africa Region;  To use the facilities in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students; Train researchers through regular workshops on the use and application of analytical instruments.
    • Run advanced pieces of equipment
    • Conduct NMR workshops
  • Benefit from Royal Society of Chemistry
    • Training on GC, NMR
    • Other?
  • Involve important team members
    • Professor David K. Kariuki (Chairman, Department of Chemistry)
      Professor John Onyari (Chairman, NMR Committee)
      Professor Abiy Yenesew (Member)
      Dr Alber Ndakala (Member)
      Dr Solomon Derese (Member)
      Mr Charles Mirikau (Member)
      Two technologists (to be included)
• 1. 0922

     Receive a donation: Varian 400 MHz machine from Gothenburg. Prof. Máté Erdélyi who was instrumental in the acquisition of the 400 MHz NMR Jeol machine by the department suggested that there is a possibility of getting a Varian 400 MHz machine from Gothenburg University which can be donated to the University of Nairobi, provided we find the funding to cover the cost of transport and installation. In this plan, however the supply of liquid helium, the funding to buy when available and service and maintenance will be a challenge. The KNMRC committee discussed and agreed this is a better option compared to commissioning 400 MHz NMR Jeol machine provided funds can be made available for transport and installation. We might need to discuss with NRF to see if the funds available can be used for the same.

     1.  Procure a new Cryogen-free 400 MHz machine

     The most viable option will be to acquire an NMR machine which does not require liquid helium by acquiring a cryogen-free 400 MHz machine. According to Prof. Máté such a machine is available in the market, 400 MHz HTS-NMR, and it will cost € 429,250.00 (about 52,000,000 Kenyan Shillings @120.28 / SEK M 4,7 ) including packaging, shipping and installation. If the funding is available, this is the best option for resource poor institutions. ISP has unofficially indicated to cover half of the cost, Prof. Máté has also indicated availing fund to cover some of the cost. The KNMRC committee discussed and agreed that we should explore possibility of raising the balance and show our commitment. The source of funding for this could come from the University, NRF, income generated from sale of liquid nitrogen and support from other partners such as PACN/RSC.

      

      

     In order to run the NMR sustainably, there is need to;

     a) Establish clear-cut strategies in the establishment and running of the Centre.

     b) Create an independent account for the Centre which could be within or without the university system depending policies as suggested by ISP.

  Selling liquid nitrogen

  The meeting discussed and agreed:

  1. a) The liquid nitrogen generator installed by the project in the department is capable producing liquid nitrogen beyond its consumption and the excess should be sold to raise funds towards the sustainability of the KNMRC Centre.
  2. b) We should explore ways of involving UNES to market and sell liquid nitrogen.
  3. c) Further discussion with Chairman, Department of Chemistry regarding proposed

  visit from ISP and sustainability of the KNMRC Centre.