Description: This proposal seeks to develop technology to address difficulties relating to performing sample preparation methods in a microgravity environment. Transferring, retaining, and entraining liquids without the aid of gravity present challenges as liquids can simply float in air rather than flow to the bottom of vials or tubes. This also presents issues in attempting to interact solid or liquid samples with liquid reagents, as there is no force holding the materials in contact. What is proposed is a cartridge that contains the necessary reagents to perform a sample preparation procedure, into which the sample itself is loaded. By controlling liquid flow, removing air from the system, and keeping the system sealed to entrain the liquid, processing on the cartridge will not be affected by the presence or absence of gravity. This Phase I effort seeks to evaluate different component designs and materials for the cartridge to control flow, move liquids, allow for sample introduction, and remove air from the system. The proposed generic cartridge designs will allow for individual component evaluation and integrated component testing. The necessary hardware and software for cartridge component testing will be fabricated as part of this effort. Once the individual components are fully evaluated, an integrated cartridge will be fabricated and tested for sample processing, and the results compared with traditional laboratory-based methods. Phase II work will create multiple cartridge designs specific for different sample processing methods.

Benefits: The proposed cartridges could be utilized in all applications where a lack of gravity would affect sample processing. This includes processing samples on the ISS rather than having to freeze them and return them to Earth for processing. Processing samples on extended manned missions would also benefit from these developed cartridges, and allow for on-board monitoring of the health and safety of the astronauts during these missions. Sample processing on unmanned missions to bodies with low or minimal gravity would also benefit from the developed technology as sample processing is required before analysis for many of the analytical methods currently employed on these missions. The generic component designs being tested mean that different processing methods could be incorporated into these cartridges, with the Phase I effort focusing on evaluation of designs and materials that will be functional. The Phase II effort will then develop cartridges with specific functionality, extend the cartridge functionality, and work towards integration of cartridge output with analytical methods.These cartridges are being designed for use in microgravity environments, but they will also work in Earth based processing. Applications external to NASA would involve those processing situations where a fully self-contained process is desired, such as in highly toxic, radioactive, or other hazardous environments where samples need to be processed with minimal human intervention. In addition, these cartridges would be suitable for use when there is concern for sample stability or on-site answers are required, and the need to take samples back to a laboratory for processing can be eliminated.