Tricorder Tech: Biosignature Preparation For Ocean Worlds (BioPOW) Instrument Prototype
In situ sampling missions to detect biosignatures on ocean worlds requires thorough sample preparation to manage the expected chemical complexity of such environments. Proposed instruments must be capable of automatic liquid sample handling to ensure sensitive and accurate detections of biosignatures, regardless of the initial chemical composition.
Herein, we outline the design, build, and test of the integrated Biosignature Preparation for Ocean Worlds (BioPOW) system capable of purifying amino acids from icy samples. This four step modular instrument 1) melts ice samples, 2) purifies amino acids via cation exchange chromatography, 3) concentrates via vacuum drying, and 4) derivatizes amino acids to volatilize and enable detection with downstream analytical instruments.
Initial experiments validated the thermal performance of the system by melting ice in the sample cup (1 mL sample, 3°C–28°C, <5 min, 1.4 kJ) and heating the derivatization tank past the concentration temperature (20°C–60°C, 12 min, 3.6 kJ) to the derivatization temperature (60°C–90°C, 25 min, 7.5 kJ).
Later experiments investigated important factors for automatic cation exchange using a design of experiments approach, and found that initial salt concentration, sample and eluate flow rates, and water wash volumes all play significant roles in reducing conductivity (1.1 x–6.7 x) while maintaining phenylalanine yields between 31% and 94%. The modules were then integrated into a 12 cm × 20 cm × 20 cm fieldable platform for analysis, and the maturation of this design for future spaceflight is discussed.
Conceptual workflow and components of the BioPOW system. (A) Standalone prototypes and process flow for the three subcomponents of the sample handling and preparation device, BioPOW, for amino acids. (B) Version 2 (v2) of the sample cup showing the internal nichrome heater and ceramic shell, scale bar is 1 cm. (C) The cation exchange manifold used for the DOE and showing mounted passive and active components, scale bar is 4 cm. (D) The derivatization tank showing the three access ports for sample introduction, venting, and gas injection, scale bar is 1 cm. (E) The operating procedure for sample processing. Here, sample loading is performed by an external system. — Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science
Integrated Biosignature Preparation for Ocean Worlds (BioPOW) instrument prototype. This figure shown is a (A) labeled schematic, (B) image of the assembled prototype, scale bar is 2 cm, and (C) mechanical routing of the BioPOW system showing the overall integration scheme. — Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science
Biosignature preparation for ocean worlds (BioPOW) instrument prototype, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science (open access)
Astrobiology
