Advancing SERS: Next-Level Organic Detection for Life Missions

The proposal introduces an advanced Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) architecture to revolutionize organic compound detection in space exploration, particularly for life detection missions. By leveraging plasmonic nanostructure-coated transparent viewports, the technology promises enhanced sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, suitable for budget-capped missions. Phase I funding will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of this SERS system, optimizing substrate-laser interactions for improved detection limits, substrate stability, and selectivity. In addition to life missions, Impossible Sensing targets the marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) market, filling the current gap in high-resolution, real-time data collection, a key impediment to the emerging mCDR industry.

Our SERS technology aligns with NASA's directives as outlined in the current Planetary Decadal Survey, addressing critical gaps in in-situ instrument capabilities for planetary exploration. It offers enhanced resolution and sensitivity, crucial for cost-capped missions targeting icy moons and planetary plumes. By reducing mass, power, and volume requirements, it's ideally suited for deployment on small spacecraft, supporting NASA's goals for innovative, high-performance instruments in future planetary missions. Our technology is set to advance scientific discovery across multiple planetary environments. The marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) market represents an enormous, multi-billion dollar commercialization opportunity that is currently uncontested. As carbon credits continue to surge in value, there is a critical need for accurate spatial and temporal data to monitor and verify carbon capture and sequestration projects. Traditional single-point data collection methods are costly and inadequate. Our game-changing SERS sensor technology provides a cost-effective solution for continuous spatial data integration at a regional scale. It bridges the crucial gap in the mCDR field by transitioning from expensive discrete measurements to persistent mapping over large areas using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The SERS sensors are affordable, highly accurate, and operationally efficient with extremely low power consumption. By developing an MRV solution at 5% of the cost of an mCDR project, we can capture a significant share of this rapidly growing multibillion-dollar market that currently lacks viable monitoring solutions. Our proven track record at rapidly commercializing transformative sensing technologies positions us to shape the go-to-market strategy during Phase II. With an innovative, scalable fleet management approach optimizing smart positioning and adaptive AUV coops, we can provide comprehensive regional coverage at a fraction of the cost of blanketing an area with vehicles. This unlocks massive commercial potential in the nascent marine carbon removal industry desperate for trustworthy monitoring capabilities as carbon credits skyrocket in value.

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