A Microgravity-Compatible Liquid-Free Surface Sampling Pen (SSP)

AI Biosciences, Inc. (AIBI) proposes to develop and demonstrate the performance of a handheld, versatile surface sampling pen (SSP). Our device will assist with Contamination Control (CC) and Planetary Protection (PP) implementation and verification. The SSP can be used in various NASA cleanrooms to monitor microbial contamination. This SSP is capable of performing diverse sampling tasks and will aid NASA in tracking microbial presence on the ISS and among the crew. Utilizing super absorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogel, the SSP functions on flat or curved surfaces for microbial and chemical analysis without leaving residues behind. The SSP is naturally premoistened and does not require water or buffer to wet the surface beforehand. After sampling, the spent SAP gel can be sliced off, exposing a fresh sampling surface. The gel can be stored or immediately tested without a high elution step, as the microbes are trapped only in the outer layer (unlike a swab or sponge). Closed environments, such as the ISS and spacecraft for planned interplanetary destinations, necessitate monitoring for microbial contaminants and potential pathogens. Current sampling and post-collection processing are intensive in crew time. Thus, our proposal is highly relevant to NASA’s mission. Phase I will allow us to design and 3D print the hydrogel pen holder, as well as develop a simple processing tube to elute the collected material from the surface and its storage tubes. We anticipate being ready to test the sampling operation in zero-g flights to demonstrate a TRL level of 6 following Phase I. We will collaborate with Professor Chris Mason, a microbiome and sequencing expert at Weill Cornell Medicine, to showcase its effectiveness. We aim to contact the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) for future collaboration. USP provides microbiological solutions that assist in controlling microbial contamination, with wide-ranging applications, including biologics and compounded medications.