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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a low-mass, ultra-thin layer chromatography plate that will enable spatially resolved, passive separation and analysis of unknown organics in complex mixtures. The objective is to develop a synthesis/fabrication protocol for SERS-ready UTLC plates & construct a TRL-3 fluidic system capable of performing separation.
Separation techniques like GC or HPLC are power intensive and have large SWaP. UTLC has been successfully coupled to LD and to SERS by depositing plasmonic nanostructures to the UTLC plate. This project will translate these protocols from the literature to a low SWaP instrument.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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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