Hardware for Extraction and Reagent Mixing in Experimental Studies (HERMES)

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Description

Ecoatoms' HERMES provides an automated genetic material extraction solution for diverse biological samples, significantly reducing astronaut time spent on research and development procedures. By enabling machine-driven workflows HERMES directly addresses NASA’s General-Purpose Robotic Manipulation shortfall. This innovation advances human-scale logistics and utilization in space, while reducing significant costs allowing astronauts to focus on critical missions while automation handles complex laboratory tasks with precision and consistency.

Problem Statement
HERMES solves the problem of labor-intensive, manual DNA extraction in space by automating the process, reducing astronaut time and experimental errors in microgravity. Unlike current semi-automated, non-commercial technologies that lack integrated centrifugation, or software, HERMES combines microfluidics and mixing platforms with an onboard computer for user-programmable, precise workflows. This all-in-one system enhances efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, enabling routine, high-throughput DNA extraction for space-based genomics research.

Technology Maturation
NASA’s Flight Opportunities program will advance HERMES’s TRL by validating its automated DNA extraction capabilities through parabolic flight testing. These flights will confirm the system’s microfluidics, centrifugation, and software functionality in microgravity, enabling precise processing of a great number of reagents. Successful testing will demonstrate HERMES’s ability to perform complex laboratory tasks with minimal astronaut intervention, accelerating its readiness and full automation for future space-based genomics research.

Benefits

For future missions, HERMES enhances biological research by enabling rapid, reliable DNA extraction in microgravity, critical for studying organism adaptation, biosignature detection, or clinical diagnosis. Its compact, automated design supports infusion into lunar or Martian missions, reducing crew time and experiment costs. Commercially, it targets space biotech firms as well as academic labs, offering a scalable platform for terrestrial labs, reducing manual operations. Its unique software and automated capabilities make it easy to operate for both astronauts and scientists of all backgrounds.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > In Situ Instruments and Sensors > Sample Handling
Program	Flight Opportunities (FO)
Lead organization	Ecoatoms, Inc., Atherton, CA
Start date	2025-06-01
End date	2027-06-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Solange Massa
Aram Garibyan

How to get involved

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.