7 – spectraMRR
Molecular rotational resonance for direct molecular analysis
Produced by BrightSpec
spectraMRR is the first commercial platform powered by molecular rotational resonance (MRR) spectroscopy, enabling direct analysis of complex chemical mixtures without chromatography or sample preparation. By capturing the unique rotational “fingerprints” of molecules in the gas phase, it allows rapid and confident identification and quantification. The integrated system combines high-resolution spectroscopy with advanced computing and user-friendly software, streamlining workflows and providing new insights across pharmaceutical, chemical, and academic applications.
What the judges say…
“New instrument for gas phase molecular identification based on a new principle: the spectral recording of the rotational fingerprint of molecules.”
Insights from co-founder and CTO Justin Neill
Please introduce yourself and your role
I worked as a researcher in MRR, and helped contribute to breakthrough developments in instrument capabilities at the University of Virginia; I joined BrightSpec’s founding team to help translate this research into commercial products. I’ve been the company’s CTO for about 10 years.
What inspired or sparked the idea behind this innovation?
Our team demonstrated that MRR, previously a technique only employed by specialized researchers, could address challenges in structural analysis with greater certainty than standard techniques in the field.
As we sought broader adoption of MRR, we needed to develop an instrument platform that could address these challenges but required no specialized expertise and could analyze samples in a fully automated way.
It turned out that a concept design that we had developed several years earlier, but had not yet prototyped, was the perfect fit for this need.
What was the biggest hurdle you faced during development and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest hurdles we faced was that the existing technology for sample introduction in rotational spectroscopy was simply not robust or automated enough to support real-world analytical workflows. To make the technique practical for analytical chemists, we had to engineer solutions from the ground up. This required major advances to achieve long-term stability and hands-off operation – capabilities that hadn’t existed before. Through close collaboration with external R&D partners and multiple design iterations, we transformed a manual, finicky process into a reliable, automated system ready for commercial use.
Was there a defining breakthrough or “eureka” moment that changed the course of the project?
One key moment that showed the whole team that the spectraMRR was fundamentally different from any MRR instrument built before was the first time we set the instrument to characterize a series of about 50 new molecules over a weekend. That moment really served to transition our thinking from an off-line, one-at-a-time analyzer to a fully automated structure analysis tool and opens the door to an array of new applications.
What impact could your innovation have?
Our goal for the spectraMRR is to allow users to confidently and unambiguously identify the structures of small molecules, while also dramatically simplifying user requirements for method development and reference standards.
Did you collaborate with any external teams or partners?
The external R&D consultants, collaborators, and beta testers we’ve worked with have been absolutely integral to the success of this project. It brought in a variety of perspectives and feedback to help us prioritize our development and build the best instrument we could in a short amount of time.
Any innovation lessons you’d like to share?
I’ve learned that it always pays to be flexible and open minded about the right path to take to accomplish your goals. At every stage you have to make assumptions about the right products to build, what features your customers will want, and the best way to solve problems. But as you get more data, you have to recognize that these assumptions are often wrong and be willing to change course, as long as you do so with intent and as a team.
Do you find yourself driven more by scientific curiosity or the desire to make an impact?
It’s a thrill to be part of an innovative company that encourages testing out new ideas and building things for the first time. That’s a big part of what fuels me. But the experience of seeing all of the team’s efforts culminate in a product launch that has drawn unprecedented levels of attention to BrightSpec and the MRR technique – that’s really special.
What’s next for your team – or for this innovation?
We’re hard at work continuing to develop new capabilities for MRR that will continue to enhance its commercial reach and help our customers more effectively address their analytical challenges. Our whole team sees this moment as the beginning of an exciting era for MRR.
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