Operation of a programmable microfluidic organic analyzer under microgravity conditions simulating space flight environments

Abstract

A programmable microfluidic organic analyzer is developed for detecting life signatures beyond Earth and for clinical monitoring of astronaut health. Extensive environmental tests including various gravitational fields are required to confirm the functionality of this analyzer and to advance its overall Technology Readiness Level (TRL). This work examines how a programmable microfluidic analyzer performs under simulated Lunar, Martian, zero, and hypergravity conditions during a parabolic flight. We confirm that the functionality of the programmable microfluidic analyzer is minimally affected by large changes in gravitational field, thus paving the way for its use in a variety of space mission opportunities.

High-performance capillary electrophoresis biosignature analysis under micro- and hyper-gravity conditions using a flight-format Microfluidic Organic Analyzer (MOA)

“…Figure 1B shows top and bottom views of the core PMA-µCE-LIF organic analyzer unit. In May 2022, our first Zero-G flight was conducted and the functionality of the PMA and LIF detection system was successfully demonstrated 25 . The results showed that the microfluidic pumping, transferring, mixing, and degassing performed as well in different gravity conditions as on Earth under normal 1 g conditions.…”