Multifunctional Integrated Photonic Lab-on-a-Chip for Astronaut Health Monitoring

Astronauts do not have a simple and reliable method to accurately and in real-time monitor their health during missions. IFOS proposes an innovative miniaturized blood monitoring lab-on-a-chip to directly monitor astronaut health in real-time. IFOS' innovative system comprises a miniaturized biosensor based on photonic integrated circuits and sensitive fluorescent assay. While IFOS' initial focus will be on measurement of total protein concentration in blood, IFOS will leverage and build upon pioneering work done by collaborator Stanford University to enable multi-analyte sensing. The implementation of the blood monitoring device on Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) will enabling a form factor of 1 cubic inch at competitive cost.

The IFOS innovation will enable new capabilities for NASA's planned and future long-duration manned space missions. Mission controllers and flight crew will have increased confidence that health issues can be detected before becoming acute, allowing mission focus.

The IFOS innovation will enable widespread and affordable blood testing away from clinics. The sensor chip will also support warfighter health while deployed in forward-field environment.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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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