The Regional Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (RACheL) provides state-of- the-art analytical chemistry services to the Charlotte area.
A key component of RACheL is a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, which is used in conjunction with mass spectroscopy (MS) to examine both organic and inorganic materials.
In addition to the NMR spectrometer, the lab has a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and Fourier Transfer IR. The lab also has a variety of equipment for the separation and isolation of organic and inorganic components.
Services the RACheL group provides for companies include competitive analysis, deformulation, comparison of similar products for subtle differences, identification of processing deposits, elucidation of polymer structure, and characterization of monomers, additives and catalysts.
The Regional Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (RACheL) has been developed in response to input from chemistry's Industrial Advisory Board and the University community as a means to support the academic and industrial research infrastructure in our region.
Similarly, interdisciplinary environmental science research activity at UNC Charlotte is increasing and is benefiting significantly from RACheL. Thus, RACheL offers the larger regional laboratories a consortium-style access to major equipment and scientific expertise they lack. For smaller companies, we offer technology transfer by helping them establish their own analytical methodology and by providing analytical services that are not generally available through commercial laboratories.