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       Electrochemical sensors developed at JPL for measurements of ions present in liquid samples (shown in relation to microfluidic valves and pumps used for fluidic routing).
Above: Electrochemical sensors developed at JPL for measurements of ions present in liquid samples (shown in relation to microfluidic valves and pumps used for fluidic routing).

Electrochemical Sensors

Inorganic Analyses to Help Looking for Life

Elizabeth Jaramillo - Florian Kehl - Aaron Noell
Measurements of inorganic ions provide important context when searching for organic molecules indicative of life. Inorganic ions help establish the habitability of an environment, i.e. are the physiochemical conditions within a range that is conducive to life. These ions also can affect downstream analysis protocols, so identifying their presence allows us to adjust accordingly to avoid false positives or negatives in the search for biosignatures. Electrochemical sensors are a powerful and a space-proven approach (as part of the Wet Chemistry Laboratory onboard the Mars Phoenix Lander) for identifying inorganic ions in samples.

Along with our collaborators at NASA Ames and Tufts University, we are continuing to develop both the underlying sensors and integrated instrument systems capable of acquiring this essential data on samples collected. As part of this, we are developing miniaturized Solid Contact Ion Selective Electrodes (SC-ISEs) based on carbon nanomaterials that will be suitable for long-term missions to the outer solar system. Ion selective electrodes (ISE’s) are simple, low-cost sensors with a large dynamic range, minimal power requirements, and little interference.

The low mass, cost and power associated with SC-ISE’s makes them suitable for incorporation into more complex instrument suites without additional burdens on the system. In conjunction with this sensor development, we are also building microfluidic sensor arrays that include ISE’s as well as other standard sensors (e.g., conductivity, pH, ORP) to allow automated end-to-end sample processing and analysis.

        <strong>Left:</strong> SC-ISEs developed for long-term deployment.
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        <strong>Right:</strong> Miniaturized SC-ISEs incorporated in a microfluidic manifold.
Left: SC-ISEs developed for long-term deployment.

Right: Miniaturized SC-ISEs incorporated in a microfluidic manifold.
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