The Regional Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (RACheL) provides state-of- the-art analytical chemistry services including non-routine analysis.
A key component of RACheL is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spe
ctrometry, which is used in conjunction with Gas and Liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS, LCMS), Fourier Transform/Infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), and Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) in addition to other identification instruments to solve complex chemical formulations and manufacturing problems. The lab also has a variety of techniques for the separation and isolation of organic and inorganic components and searchable library databases to use in conjunction with those instruments.
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.
RACheL has been developed in response to input from the Department of Chemistry, Department of Engi
neering, the University and industrial 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.