Metal-Organic Framework-Sensitized ChemFET Sensors for Spacecraft Water Monitoring Systems

The objective of this STTR research effort is to demonstrate the use of select metal-organic framework (MOF) constructs as active, multi-analyte sensing element in spacecraft water monitoring systems. MOFs are extended one, two, and three-dimensional coordination networks with uniform porosity and large surface area. The rational selection of both the metal cluster nodes and multi-dentate linkers drive structural attributes as well as introduce environmentally sensitive behavior to the resulting material. Optical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties inherent to MOFs and sensitive to analytes present in a specific environment will be leveraged to design sensors based on NanoSonic’s established nano-membrane-based chemical field effect transistor (ChemFET) platform. NanoSonic will combine analyte-sensitive MOFs designed during this program with our advanced nanotechnology thin-film deposition processes and ChemFET architecture to produce a series of sensors for in situ water quality monitoring.

Water storage health monitoring systems.

The market for such self‐reporting sensor units would include federal government agencies involved in environmental monitoring and clean‐up, humanitarian aid organizations concerned about local water quality, the public works departments of local and state governments, industries scrutinized for environmental compliance, and federal military and security organizations.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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