Volatile-sensing Array for Planetary Onsite Research (VAPOR) (VAPOR)

Volatile-sensing Array for Planetary Onsite Research (VAPOR) offers a novel, versatile, and integrated in situ chemical sensing instrument that: a) unambiguously identifies target trace gases on planets, moons and asteroids; b) detects species down to part-per-billion (ppb) concentration; and c) has an extremely low resource footprint (250grams, 12x8.9x2cm3, and <3W). We propose to develop the first nanomaterial based sensor platform with highly sensitive, stable, wireless sensor system by leveraging an innovative 3D micro and nanoscale printing technique developed by our team. The platform includes nanomaterial-based gas sensors, temperature and pressure sensors, readout, on-chip heaters and wireless communication, packaged in a self-contained unit. To enable this powerful and disruptive technology, we print instrument components based on a variety of 0-, 1- and 2-dimensional nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube, graphene, molybdenum disulfide, and nanoparticles of metals on either rigid or flexible substrates in an automated, layer-by-layer fashion. The ability to print different components of the instrument directly on the same chip eliminates the need to integrate individually fabricated components, making the packaging robust and reducing the resource footprint of the overall instrument.

One of the advantages of VAPOR is its simplicity of operation that eliminates sample preparation steps. As trace gases adsorb on the nanomaterials, the local conductivity and mobility change. The high surface-to-volume ratio and low thermal noise of the selected nanomaterials make it possible to detect the minute changes in their electrical properties. Due to its high sensitivity, VAPOR will work on both airless bodies and those with atmospheres. This detection mechanism avoids mass interference issues between key species such as water (H2O), ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4), typically present in mass spectrometers. In this PICASSO, VAPOR will demonstrate selective and sensitive detection of four target gases: hydrogen (H2), H2O, NH3, and CH4 at the ppb level concentration. The chosen trace gas species are priority measurements for planetary environments due to their importance as indicators of geochemical, atmospheric, and possible biological processes. Once demonstrated for the target species above, VAPOR can be expanded to other gases important in Planetary Science through future opportunities.

The low resource footprint of VAPOR will enable trace gas measurements on low cost, small-scale missions such as SIMPLEX-class that would otherwise not be able include such measurement capabilities. In addition, VAPOR will enable novel mission concepts, e.g. a network of these inexpensive, tiny sensor arrays deployed on the surface of Mars or the Moon will make simultaneous measurements to construct a spatial map of surface composition for species such as CH4 or H2O, respectively. Finally, it can quickly pre-screen samples, as well as monitor outgassing during sample storage, on Artemis and future sample return missions. The 2011 Decadal Survey for Planetary Science prioritizes many missions to small and large bodies throughout the solar system that could benefit from VAPOR, e.g. Saturn Probe, Comet Sample Return, and the more recently studied Ice Giants flagship concept, Europa Lander Reference Mission, and many of the Planetary Mission Concept Studies (PMCS) for the current decadal survey. The PICASSO solicitation calls for the development of new technologies and instruments that significantly improve instrument measurement capabilities for Planetary Science missions. VAPOR directly addresses the solicitation in the following ways: nanomaterial-based sensors are an early stage technological innovation for in situ trace gas measurements that can function in a stand-alone capacity or in tandem with traditional instruments such as mass spectrometers. This work will provide both proof-of-concept and advancement of instrument development.

Developing Instrument technology to improve measurements for future planetary science missions

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