My research group is building a miniature chemical analyzer called Microfabricated Organic Analyzer for Biosignatures (MOAB) to search for signs of life on icy moons in our solar system. The MOAB detects organic molecules in water samples from places like Enceladus and Europa. We have also adapted it to monitor astronaut health during space missions. Our group has already tested a prototype in zero gravity and proven it can accurately analyze samples under various gravitational conditions.

Traditional spacecraft analyzers are large and power-hungry, with limited ability to detect multiple organic molecules simultaneously, while the new MOAB system miniaturizes this capability using microfluidics to enable more comprehensive chemical analysis with less mass and power consumption.

The MOAB introduces a miniaturized microfluidic system that can simultaneously detect multiple organic molecules (amines, amino acids, carboxylic acids) in tiny sample volumes, while consuming minimal power and mass – making it ideal for space missions. Its success is already demonstrated through zero-gravity testing, where it maintained accurate analysis capabilities regardless of gravitational conditions, and it’s versatile enough to be adapted for monitoring astronaut health during space missions.

This technology could revolutionize how we search for life beyond Earth by enabling detailed chemical analysis of icy moons like Enceladus and Europa, potentially answering one of humanity’s biggest questions: are we alone in the universe? Additionally, its application to astronaut health monitoring could make long-duration space missions safer by providing real-time medical diagnostics in space.