Novel NMR Magnet System from Bruker Provides Unmatched Convenience and Independence from Cryogen Supply

At the 54th Experimental NMR Conference (ENC), Bruker introduces new Ascend™ Aeon 600 and 700 superconducting, nitrogen-free magnet systems, which feature fully integrated Helium reliquefaction. The unique Aeon technology enables long-term care-free operation without the need for user maintenance and without compromising Bruker’s industry-leading NMR performance. By obviating the need for liquid helium and nitrogen refills, the Ascend Aeon 600 and 700 MHz magnets deliver user convenience and substantial independence from cryogen supplies. Optional Ascend Aeon magnets require a higher initial capital investment than standard 600 and 700 MHz Ascend low-loss magnets, which require periodic refills of liquid Nitrogen and liquid Helium, and which will continue to be offered as Bruker’s standard NMR magnets.

In addition, Bruker now also offers actively refrigerated Ascend Aeon 400 and 500 magnets, which are nitrogen-free, have very low liquid Helium evaporation rates, and require liquid Helium refills only every 18 months. These Ascend Aeon 400 and 500 magnets represent a cost-effective, convenient surcharge option for routine 400 and 500 MHz NMR customers, and also provide highest quality NMR results. In recent years, Bruker has already successfully installed close to 20 such Ascend Aeon 400 and 500 magnets in customer laboratories around the world, with excellent results and field reliability.

With scheduled refrigeration maintenance service from Bruker, all Ascend Aeon magnet systems can be operated by customers in a care-free manner for years. Hundreds of preclinical MRI customers worldwide have been enjoying this level of convenience since the introduction of Bruker’s actively refrigerated MRI magnets more than a decade ago.

With their reduced size and weight, the standard Ascend magnets, launched by Bruker in the last 3 years, make important contributions to environmental sustainability and reduce costs due to significant reductions in Helium consumption of up to 50%, compared to previous generations of Bruker low-loss magnets. With this year’s introduction of the new Ascend Aeon technology, Bruker has now further responded to worldwide concerns regarding Helium shortages, as well as the rise in Helium costs. Ascend Aeon magnets achieve this by combining the latest active-shielding technology with Bruker’s advanced, proprietary refrigeration designs featuring integrated low-vibration cryocoolers, thus providing reliable long-term operation - importantly without compromising NMR performance.

The novel Ascend Aeon 600 and 700 MHz magnets are straightforward to install and are equipped with an integrated monitoring unit and sound insulation, providing safe, user-friendly and quiet operation. By maintaining the reserve liquid helium reservoir in the Aeon design, which is filled once upon initial installation, the long-term Ascend Aeon magnet stability is maintained, even in the event of potential power outages lasting several days and even up to a week.

“With the new Ascend Aeon we have been able to focus on the science and not the magnet technology. Its convenience makes our daily tasks easier,” commented Dr. Sarah Kliegman at the ETH Institute for Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics (IBP) in Zürich, Switzerland, where an Ascend Aeon 400 magnet has been installed and running already for well over one year.

“Built on the proven reliability, performance and wealth of experience gained from thousands of UltraShield and Ascend NMR magnet installations worldwide, the optional Ascend Aeon magnet refrigeration technology offers unique additional benefits for safety, convenience and cost efficiency,” stated Dr. Rene Jeker, the global Magnet Technical Director of Bruker BioSpin.

Dr. Werner Maas, President of Bruker BioSpin, added: “While already available in hundreds of our preclinical MRI magnets for years, the extreme demands for stability and spectral purity of high-resolution NMR had until recently prevented us from introducing this active refrigeration convenience for NMR magnets. Thanks to several proprietary technological breakthroughs and further magnet and refrigeration systems integration optimization over several years, our magnet engineers have now made the ‘care-free’ Ascend Aeon option available also to our high-resolution NMR customers.”