In-Space Biosensors Batch Coating Using Self-Assembled Monolayers

Electrochemical biosensors are simple and affordable analytical point-of-care diagnostics tools that can rapidly and cost-effectively detect a broad range of molecular analytes (e.g., glucose). The In-Space Biosensors Batch Coating Using Self-Assembled Monolayers project aims to whether microgravity allows for the creation of better, more uniform, and smoother coatings that could increase the sensitivity and specificity of these electrochemical biosensors. The test will demonstrate an automated batch system the team has developed for sensor coating and fabrication to address challenges of accuracy and reproducibility. 

Problem Statement 
In order to detect proteins, biosensors need a uniform bottom-up manufacturing process that starts with depositing a coating material that creates a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on top of the bare electrode. This SAM functionalizes the surface of the electrode allowing for further coating with antibodies that will detect the analyte of interest. Current 1 g manufacturing techniques create rough and uneven surfaces within a SAM that can alter a biosensor’s readability, affecting the reliability and reproducibility of blood biomarker detection. 0 g techniques could improve the uniformity and smoothness of this SAM layer and potentially increase the sensitivity and specificity of the sensor, allowing for improved manufacturing of point-of-care diagnostic tools. 

Technology Maturation 
The automated batch system is currently TRL 4. A successful flight will take this system to TRL 6 and will provide data on the hypothesis of the microgravity environment’s benefit for biosensor coating.

Summary of 9/18/2025 flight test
Ecoatoms successfully achieved the automated and simultaneous coating of 215 biosensors in microgravity with the ARES ((Advanced Reinforced Engineering Structure) payload, demonstrating a significant milestone in sensor technology development. The ARES payload was effectively powered and controlled by Ecoatoms' onboard computer, ANIMA, which executed the coating process flawlessly for experiment 1 and provided critical redundancy for experiment 2 within the payload. This last accomplishment was delivered one year ahead of the projected schedule, underscoring the robustness and efficiency of the integrated systems in meeting mission objectives under microgravity conditions.

This project aims to address one of the key factors for reliable and reproducible blood biomarkers detection: the uniformity and smoothness of the real-time biosensor’s self-assembled monolayer (SAM). This work aims to improve current 1 g manufacturing techniques, which create rough and uneven surfaces that alter the biosensors’ readability. 0 g techniques could improve the uniformity and smoothness of the SAM layer and potentially increase the sensitivity and specificity of the sensor, allowing for improved manufacturing of “point-of-care” diagnostic tools.

This has the potential to benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, other government agencies and industries using low-gravity deposition, and the nation.

Future Customers
- Point-of-care diagnostics manufacturing in low-Earth orbit
- Real-time sensor manufacturing and biomarker detection during long-duration flight

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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