Title:Lab-on-a-Chip Approaches for Space-Biology Research
Volume: 3
Issue: 1
Author(s): Wan W. Amani Wan Salim, Joon H. Park, Aeraj Ul Haque and D. Marshall Porterfield
Affiliation:
Keywords:
electrochemical sensor, ion-selective electrode lifetime, all-solid-state ion-selective electrode, lab on a chip,
Ceratopteris richardii.
Abstract: Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems with electrochemical sensing capability can provide real-time physiological
measurements in spaceflight environments. They are easily miniaturized and integrated with existing space hardware
systems. To reduce crew time during spaceflight research, the systems can be made autonomous and simple to use.
Research and development of electrochemical-sensing LOC systems are still in progress for fundamental space-biology
research in microgravity. Ion-selective electrodes as electrochemical sensors are miniaturized in an all-solid-state format
for easier packaging and handling. The design, fabrication, and application of these sensors are discussed, with examples
from those developed at the Physiological Sensing Facility (PSF) at Purdue University. The objective of this paper is not
to provide an exhaustive review of current LOC systems, but to describe research developments made for the purpose of
conducting physiological measurements in microgravity with examples of patents that support space missions.
