Unlocking the Secrets of Space: How the Finesse Instrument is Transforming Extraterrestrial Analysis

In a recent BBC article, the UK’s Open University made headlines as the sole institution to have accessed lunar dust.

The small, 60 mg moon rock sample is being stored at a secure facility in Milton Keynes, where Professor Mahesh Anand and his team are conducting groundbreaking research. Their work aims to answer fundamental questions about the Moon’s formation history and the early history of Earth. Among the advanced instruments supporting this research is a custom-designed system called Finesse, which is central to the ability to measure carbon, nitrogen and noble-gas isotopic compositions from extraterrestrial materials.

Most of this bespoke instrument, known as Finesse, was hand-built by Sasha Verchovsky.

Finesse is a complex system consisting of two magnetic-sector mass spectrometers and a Hiden Analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer. This combination allows researchers to perform a full suite of isotopic gas and evolved-gas analyses (EGA) on a single sample in a fully automated, computer-controlled process. The system runs on custom-built LabVIEW software, ensuring seamless integration and high-quality results.

Role of Hiden in Isotopic Gas and Evolved-Gas Analysis (EGA)

The core of the EGA capability is the Hiden Analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer, which serves a dual function within Finesse:

• Isotopic composition determination: Precisely measures the isotopic ratios of Neon (Ne) and Xenon (Xe) under vacuum conditions.
• Volatile gas quantification: On the same device, determines the concentration and release profiles of key volatiles—H₂, H₂O, CO, N₂, CO₂, O₂ and SO₂.

This dual functionality not only streamlines the analytical workflow but also ensures high accuracy and repeatability—critical for comparative studies of different extraterrestrial samples.

Applications of the Finesse System

Finesse plays a crucial role in analyzing a variety of extraterrestrial materials, including:

• Fallen meteorites, such as the widely publicized Winchcombe specimen.
• Samples returned from the Moon or various asteroids.

Introduction to the Hiden HPR-20 OEMS

Continuous Analysis of Gases and Vapors Released During Electrochemical Processes

The Hiden HPR-20 OEMS is designed for real-time, continuous analysis of gases and vapors evolved during electrochemical experiments:

• Ultra-low flow capillary sampling: Real-time lines allow connection to space sampling inlets or electrochemical cells (e.g. El-Cell).
• High-temperature, fast-response inlet: A quartz-lined Hiden QIC ULF inlet operates up to 2000 °C and responds in under 3 s for most gases and vapors, including water.
• Detection limits:
  • Standard 200 amu system detects below 100 ppb.
  • Optional 300 amu Series 3F with mass filter extends detection to 5 ppb and improves contamination resistance for highly sensitive or corrosive/condensable analyses.

Hiden HPR-20 OEMS for continuous analysis of gases and vapors evolved during electrochemical processes.

Real-time sampling via ultra-low-flow capillaries enables connection to spatial sampling probes or direct coupling with electrochemical cells (e.g. El-Cell).

The ultra-low-flow sampling inlet, lined with Hiden QIC ULF quartz, operates at temperatures up to 2000 °C and delivers fast response times of under 3 s for most common gases and vapors, including water vapor.

The standard system offers a mass range up to 200 amu with detection limits below 100 ppb. An optional 300 amu Series 3F configuration—with enhanced quadrupole mass filter—extends detection down to 5 ppb and improves contamination resistance for applications requiring maximum sensitivity or optimal analysis of corrosive/condensable species.

Key Features

• Multi-component gas/vapor analysis: optional mass range 0–300 amu
• Flexible sample flow rates: 12 µL min⁻¹ to 16 mL min⁻¹
• Continuous heated-capillary sampling at user-selectable flow rates
• Real-time concentration measurement: 100 ppb to 100 vol %
• Fast response time: ≈ 300 ms
• High-speed data acquisition: up to 1 000 ionization measurements per second, reducing spectral fragmentation and simplifying data interpretation
• Extensive sampling accessories for diverse setups
• Custom OEMS interfaces available to suit specific applications
• Intuitive user interface via QGA 2.0 & MASsoft Professional

Applications

• Lithium-ion battery development
• Fuel cell research
• Cathode material studies
• Advanced electrochemical analysis
• Energy storage battery research
• Nitrogen and CO₂ emissions reduction

Learn more about the HPR-20-OEMS here: https://reecotech.com.vn/san-pham/hpr-20-oems/