(A) C4D PCB connected to the electrode disc. (B) Actuator perfboard connected to the solenoids. (C) Circuit boards placed inside the canister. (D) Corresponding CAD design showing the placement of components inside the canister. — Sensors (Basel) via PubMed
This study introduces an innovative in situ lander/impact-penetrator design tailored for Discovery-class missions to Europa, specifically focused on conducting astrobiological analyses.
The platform integrates a microfluidic capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (C4D), optimized for the detection of low-concentration salts potentially indicative of biological activity.
Our microfluidic system allows for automated sample routing and precise conductivity-based detection, making it suitable for the harsh environmental and logistical demands of Europa’s icy surface.
This technology provides a robust toolset for exploring extraterrestrial habitability by enabling in situ chemical analyses with minimal operational intervention, paving the way for advanced astrobiological investigations on Europa.
Schematic of the sequence of operations of a MicroICE payload for detection of salts following impact, penetration, and sample internalization. The sequence of operation is as follows: (a) Penetrator body impacting and penetrating 1–10 m into the icy surface. (b) Panel showing the heaters placed around the nosecone of the impactor body turning on to melt the ice immediately around the penetrator body. Sipper ports placed in proximity to the heaters sip in molten ice and place it inside the microfluidic device (µdevice) with the placement of hardware to support melting, sipping, and detection (upcoming in the next panels). (c) Sipped sample placed inside the integrated microfluidic device (µdevice) for (d) detection using the C4D device. Modified from Govinda Raj et al. [32] with permission. Sensors (Basel) via PubMed
Early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Development of the Microfluidic Inorganic Conductivity Detector for Europa and the Solenoid-Based Actuator Assembly for Impact Penetrators, Sensors (Basel) via PubMed (open access)
Astrobiology
