Multifunctional Nanosensor Platform (MNP) (MNP)

Multifunctional Nanosensor Platform (MNP) is an ultra-compact, light, low-power and highly sensitive instrument for the in situ detection of gases and volatiles. The instrument includes an array of independent gas sensors that are read simultaneously. The operating principle of MNP is simple with no preprocessing of the sample required. As the sensor surface interacts with a target gas species, its electrical properties change, which is measured by the readout. The high surface-to-volume ratio and low electrical noise of MNP sensors result in high sensitivity. This enables the senor to detect extremely low concentrations anticipated on the Moon. The selectivity to target gases is induced by functional groups on the sensors that specifically interact with those species. MNP can be reset by heating the sensors when necessary.The small Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) of MNP allows it to be onboard a small rover and measure exhaust plumes as a function of time and distance from the lander. The lander is known to generate a significant amount of outgassing, which makes it challenging to use any measurement of the volatiles taken on the lander to study the plume-surface interactions. The ability to move away from the lander and measure volatiles directly above the lunar regolith will allow MNP to study plume-surface interactions and better understand the impact of lander-generated volatiles.Under this project, a completely standalone MNP instrument is customized to interface with a small rover provided by the Australian Space Agency, fit within a tight mass and power allocation and operate on the Moon. The sensors within the instrument are customized to make sensitive measurements of the exhaust plume expected in the lunar environment.

​MNP can be used in a broad range of mission architectures to address high-priority science questions related to planetary environments, habitability and the origin of life. It can be used as either a standalone instrument or in tandem with traditional instruments in missions under the Discovery, New Frontiers, Mars Exploration or other planetary programs. In addition, MNP can be used for different applications in ESDMD missions. Human exploration missions require real-time environmental monitoring of enclosed areas of space assets such as habitats and pressurized rovers, as well as monitoring of external environments, in order to ensure both the safety of crew and proper operations of space assets. Leaks and fires need to be detected as quickly as possible to prevent the loss of required gases and the introduction of highly toxic species used in the spacecraft. In addition, MNP can be used to identify resources for in situ resource utilization and screening samples, as well as monitoring outgassing of samples during storage, in sample return missions.​

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