A Robust Electron Source for a Miniaturized Electron Probe for In Situ Elemental Microanalysis

NASA landed missions have a critical need for rapid, highly sensitive in situ elemental analyses of extraterrestrial rocks, soils, and ices. To address this, we have been developing an addressable-array carbon nanotube (“CNT”)-based electron source that can be applied to make the standard laboratory technique of electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) feasible in situ on a landed mission. In the EPMA technique, an electron beam knocks out inner-shell electrons from atoms in the target material, thus exciting X-ray line emission at energies characteristic of the elemental composition of the target’s surface. By combining efficient microscale compositional mapping of major (Na through Ni) and minor rock-forming elements with a new light-element (C/N/O/F) capability, the mini- EPMA will significantly advance our capability for in situ analysis of samples of planetary, asteroidal, and cometary material. Composition provides key evidence about the processes by which rocks, soils, and ices were formed and evolved (e.g., accretion, differentiation, and hydrothermal alteration) thus recording past stages in solar system evolution.

Development of new proof-of-concept instruments, systems or components, including sampling technologies, that significantly improve instrument measurement capabilities to address high priority science goals of planetary missions.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.