MinSight is an online application for fitting and interpreting Mössbauer spectroscopy data.
Unlike other fitting software, MinSight aims to handle the entire analytical pipeline so that once data is collected, it can be readily and easily understood. Typical non-linear regression models combined with dynamic databases enable discovery of similar spectra which have already been published.
Handling lots of datasets and projects can often get complicated, with folders here or there and little interaction between them all. MinSight puts data in one place, meaning that you can access files from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Our projects are saved securely on a cloud based server (Firebase Console).
Collaborate with students or colleagues so they can see your data, or you can see theirs and provide interactive feedback on the results.
Add doublets and sextets into your model and adjust the hyperfine parameters to improve your fit. Select from a range of analytical models including Lorentzian, Squared Lorentzian or Voigt. Use lock boxes to constrain fitting or adjust asymmetry.
The colour of your spectral sites can be changed through a simple drop down menu, and annotation of each site can be handled with ease by modifying the Label.
Match your spectrum against published datasets and use the similarity score to determine the closeness of the approximation.
If the match appears to be acceptable, simply select that model and directly import the hyperfine parameters from that publication into your own data. A DOI provided means that you can learn more about the matched spectrum and potentially discover more about the similarities or differences between that and your own data.
Confident that the match is acceptable? Simply press Select & Fit to get the fitting started.
.png)
Even when a dataset has been fitted to an acceptable level, the job is still not over! The demands of reports or publication often means creating high quality figures which show the data in the best possible light.
The figure wizard enables users to select the files they wish to present, and then draw multipanel figures which include residuals, standard colour sites, and Labels. A download button enables users to download a higher resolution version.
Associate Professor in Environmental Mineralogy
I am an Associate Professor in Environmental Mineralogy in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol, UK. My research focuses on the formation of (bio)minerals (especially iron bearing minerals) through microbially mediated processes, as well as through chemical synthesis. These mineral phases include magnetic magnetite nanoparticles, goethite, ferrihydrite, siderite, green rust and others. They often have highly reactive properties which make them suitable to a range of applications including water treatment.
I routinely apply a range of analytical techniques such as Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, magnetometry, and synchrotron methods to understand the (physio)chemical properties of these minerals. My interest in understanding the different ways to interpret datasets coming from these techniques has led me to develop MinSight as a platform to combine multi-model analytics.
Mineral physicist and research software engineer
Benedict Heinen is a mineral physicist and research software engineer based in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. They use a variety of computational, spectroscopic and synchrotron x-ray techniques to investigate the properties of minerals, melts and glasses at extreme conditions. Much of their research has focused on experimental and analytical method development. Alongside this, Benedict develops user-friendly software to support the wider research community. They joined the MinSight project as a software engineer in late 2025.
The development of MinSight has been supported through a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.
We would like to hear from anyone interested in being part of MinSight. That could mean sharing published spectra for the database, testing new features, suggesting improvements, or collaborating on research or software development.
If any of this interests you, please get in touch.