FT-ICR Mass Spectrometer visualization

BSI FT-ICR
MASS SPECTROMETER

Resolving sub-picomole levels of He-3 from HD and He-4 from D2 in a system the size of a minifridge, all at room temperature.

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The Challenge

THE MASS 3/4 ISOBAR PROBLEM

At masses 3 and 4 daltons, critical species overlap within fractions of a dalton. He-4 vs D2, He-3 vs HD, HT vs D2 separations require resolving powers of 157 to 930+.

Standard quadrupole RGAs achieve R ≈ 4–10 at mass 4, two orders of magnitude short. High-resolution quadrupoles sacrifice sensitivity, enabling quantification down to only the micromole scale.

This is a major unsolved problem across fusion diagnostics and helium exploration. The only mass spectrometers with >1,000 resolution and picomole quantification cost over $1.5M, are the size of small lab rooms, and require cryogenic operations.

Standard RGA (R ≈ 5)

mass 3 He-3 + HD ?

BSI FT-ICR (R > 1,000)

HD He-3 RESOLVED
Our Solution

FT-ICR: RESOLUTION THAT SCALES WHERE YOU NEED IT

FT-ICR resolution scales as B/m; it is highest at lowest masses, exactly where fusion and helium markets need it. Our instrument delivers R > 1,000 at mass 3 and 4 with calibrated picomole-level quantification.

Frequency sweep mode allows simultaneous broad-range analysis of species from mass 1 to mass 500. Frequency burst mode enables picomole-level sensitivity for important gas species from He-3 to Ar-40 and beyond.

Resolution

>1,000 at mass 3 and 4

Isobar-resolving precision at critical daltons

Linearity

0.5–50 pmol calibrated range

Calibrated quantification across decades

Detectable Species

He-3, He-4, D2, HD, H2, DT, HT, T2, Ne-20, Ar-40+

Full isotopologue coverage

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Form Factor

Tabletop, modular design

Minifridge-sized, room temperature

sensors

Detection Modes

Broadband Sweep & Precision Burst

Simultaneous or targeted excitation

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Key Advantage

R scales as B/m

Highest resolution exactly where you need it most

Applications

WHERE IT MATTERS MOST

Fusion Diagnostics

Key use cases: divertor exhaust monitoring, fuel processing, and tritium recovery systems.

Our instrument uniquely separates He-3 from HD — critical for D-He3 fuel cycles where helium ash must be distinguished from fuel species at picomole concentrations.

Key Separations

He-3 / HD / H3 He-4 / D2 DT / HT H2 / D2 / T2
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Helium Exploration

The He-3/He-4 isotope ratio is the single most diagnostic measurement in exploration geology, revealing subsurface gas origins and reservoir characteristics.

Currently, only one commercial lab worldwide offers this analysis — creating a massive bottleneck for the rapidly growing helium exploration market.

Our instrument enables field-deployable isotope ratio measurements, eliminating weeks-long lab queues and enabling real-time exploration decisions.

Key Differentiators

Field Deployable Sub-ppb He-3 & He-4 Quantification Real-Time Results
Competitive Landscape

HOW WE COMPARE

BSI occupies the white space between high-resolution quadrupoles and magnetic sector instruments. No other compact FT-ICR exists commercially at any price.

Instrument Manufacturer Type R @ m4 R @ m3 Price HD/He-3? Sub-pmol?
BSI Tabletop FT-ICR Blank Slate Innovation FT-ICR >1,000 >1,000 $180k check_circle check_circle
DLS-20 Hiden Analytical Quadrupole ~1,000–1,500 ~500 $80–150k cancel cancel
DLS-2X Hiden Analytical Quadrupole ~500 ~300 $30–180k cancel cancel
VeraSpec HRQ Extrel / Process Insights Quadrupole >3,000 ~1,500 $100–200k check_circle cancel
RGA 100/200/300 Stanford Research Systems Quadrupole ~4–10 ~4–10 $5–15k cancel cancel
PrismaPro Pfeiffer Quadrupole ~1 amu ~1 amu $5–50k cancel cancel
Helix SFT Thermo Fisher Magnetic Sector High High $400–600k check_circle help
NGX Isotopx Magnetic Sector High High $400–600k check_circle cancel
Noblesse Nu Instruments Magnetic Sector High High $250–400k check_circle cancel
solariX Bruker FT-ICR >1,000,000 >1,000,000 $1.5–2.5M+ check_circle check_circle
Early Access

FOUNDER PROGRAM — NOW OPEN

Be among the first six organizations to deploy the world's only compact FT-ICR mass spectrometer. Founding customers receive priority delivery and preferred pricing.

Founder Price
$180k

vs $250k standard pricing after cohort closes

5/6 Founder Spots Remaining

Target delivery: end of 2026

Request Founder Program Details
What’s Included
  • check_circle BSI FT-ICR Mass Spectrometer instrument
  • check_circle Software license with all analysis modes
  • check_circle On-site installation support
  • check_circle Initial calibration & validation
  • check_circle Custom gas manifold
  • check_circle 1-year full warranty
What We Ask
  • handshake Signed Letter of Intent with deposit
  • rate_review Agreement to provide case study / testimonial after 90 days of operation
  • group Willingness to serve as a reference customer for future prospects
Dr. Robert Vance Duncan, Founder of Blank Slate Innovation
Heritage

THE TEAM BEHIND BSI

BSI is a spinoff from Texas Tech University, founded by Dr. Robert Vance Duncan. We draw on over 15 years of research and development at the Center for Emerging Energy Sciences to provide precision mass spectrometry with cutting-edge ion cyclotron resonance physics.

Our foundation is built on rigorous federal validation: SBIR Phase 1 completed, with 4 patent disclosures and provisional filings securing our core innovations.

SBIR Phase 1

Completed

4 Patents

Disclosures & Provisionals

Texas Tech

University Spinoff

Get In Touch

REQUEST FULL SPECIFICATIONS

Interested in the BSI FT-ICR Mass Spectrometer? Fill out the form below and our team will reach out with full technical documentation.