High Magnetic Fields Help Researchers Uncover Atomic Structures in Drugs

Iowa State's Aaron Rossini develops solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods to aid drug design and other research

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Researchers at Iowa State University and the Ames National Laboratory, led by chemistry professor Aaron Rossini, are using powerful nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy instruments to probe the atomic-level structures of drugs and other materials. By spinning solid drug samples at high speeds and subjecting them to intense magnetic fields, the team can detect the positions of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms, providing valuable insights that can aid in the design of better drug formulations.

Why it matters

Determining the precise atomic structures of drugs and their ingredients is a persistent challenge in the pharmaceutical industry. Rossini's NMR techniques offer a powerful tool to overcome this obstacle, helping researchers design more effective and stable drug formulations. The findings could also have applications in developing improved catalysts, semiconductors, and other materials.

The details

Rossini's team uses a specialized NMR instrument at the National Magnetic Resonance Facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to analyze solid drug samples. The samples are spun at 50,000 revolutions per minute while tilted at a 55-degree angle relative to a powerful 9.4 Tesla magnetic field. This setup allows the researchers to detect the "magnetic moment" of the atoms' nuclei, which provides clues about their positions and the overall structure of the drug compound.

  • Rossini recently shared his NMR expertise during a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
  • Rossini is leading a new three-year, $492,000 study of pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product structures, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

The players

Aaron Rossini

A chemistry professor at Iowa State University and a faculty scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames National Laboratory, who has developed advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy methods.

National Magnetic Resonance Facility

A research facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that houses powerful NMR instruments used by Rossini's team.

National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab)

A national laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida, that operates some of the world's most powerful NMR magnets, which researchers like Rossini can access for specialized experiments.

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What’s next

Rossini's team plans to continue developing new NMR methods to improve the sensitivity and resolution of data, which will help chemists design better materials and pharmaceutical companies formulate improved drugs.

The takeaway

Rossini's innovative use of powerful NMR spectroscopy is providing unprecedented insights into the atomic structures of drugs and other important materials, demonstrating how advanced scientific instrumentation can drive progress in fields like pharmaceutical development and materials science.