Design and Material Testing for a Self-contained system for Microgravity Sample Preparation

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.