Novel Polymer Microfluidics Technology for In Situ Planetary Exploration, Phase II

Los Gatos Research proposes to develop a novel microfluidic device that combines rigid monolithic porous polymer based micro-capillary electrochromatography (microCEC) with ultra-high sensitive UV laser induced fluorescence (LIF)optical detection capable of accurately measuring concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) molecules. This novel device is ultra-compact and light weight with low power consumption, ideally suited for NASA planetary science applications such as analyzing

The proposed polymer microfluidics and optical technologies can be readily adapted to NASA's miniature "Micro Laboratories" scientific instrumentations for in-situ exploration of the solar system. In particular, it is directly applicable to analyze PAH and other neutral organic molecules on Mars and Titan surfaces. The proposed technology has other broad NASA applications including on-chip biosensors, electrochemical sensors, wet-chemistry systems, as well as high pressure micropumps for fluid positioning, mixing, metering, storage, and filtering systems. In addition, the novel microfluidics technology is naturally suited to such applications as clinical diagnostics, spacecraft and biosphere environmental monitoring, and toxicology studies. The microfluidics technology described in this proposal is directly applicable for terrestrial analysis for PAH molecules in health and environmental studies. Compared to existing micellar electrokinetic chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC, the microCEC technology described in this proposal offers a natural alternative providing inexpensive, rapid, nondestructive, in-situ techniques for the measurement of PAH contamination in sediments. Additional commercial devices based on such microfluidics technology envisioned include components for DNA, protein and drug separation and analysis, chemical analysis systems, drug delivery systems, and embedded health monitoring systems.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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