{"projectId":93367,"project":{"projectId":93367,"title":"Ambient Desorption, Ionization, and Extraction Source for Mars Exploration","startDate":"2017-06-09","startYear":2017,"startMonth":6,"endDate":"2018-06-08","endYear":2018,"endMonth":6,"programId":73,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","isActive":true,"description":"<p>The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.</p><p><strong>The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases</strong>:</p><ul><li><strong>Phase I</strong> is the opportunity to establish the scientific, technical, and commercial feasibility of the proposed innovation in fulfillment of NASA needs.</li><li><strong>Phase II</strong> is focused on the development, demonstration and delivery of the proposed innovation.</li></ul><p>The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.</p><ul><li><strong>Phase III</strong> is the commercialization of innovative technologies, products, and services resulting from either a Phase I or Phase II contract. Phase III contracts are funded from sources other than the SBIR and STTR programs and may be awarded without further competition.</li></ul><p><strong>Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II</strong>:</p><p>The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.</strong></p><ul><li><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/ParticipationGuide.pdf\">Participation Guide</a></strong></li></ul><p>Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA</p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/solicitations\">Program Solicitations</a></strong></li></ul><p>Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics</p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/prg_sched_anncmnt\">Schedule and Awards</a></strong></li></ul><p>Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements</p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/content/additional-sources-assistance\">Sources of Assistance</a></strong></li></ul><p>Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business</p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/abstract_archives\">Awarded Abstracts</a></strong></li></ul><p>Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded</p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/content/frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions</a></strong></li></ul><p>&nbsp;Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs</p>","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer","acronymOrTitle":"SBIR/STTR"},"description":"Trace Matters Scientific LLC proposes to design, develop, and prototype a miniature ambient desorption, ionization, and extraction source (MADIE) as a compact all-in-one instrument for operation under the ambient Martian environment to sequentially desorb, ionize, and extract analytes from Martian samples. The MADIE will enable in situ interrogation of the Martian mineralogical samples with no sample preparation and/or separation when coupled to a mass spectrometer. At the core of the proposed MADIE will be a self-tuning plasma ionization module for sample ionization, consisting of an ambient carbon dioxide plasma source and a tuning circuit; an ion funnel module for efficient ion extraction; and a laser diode module for time-resolved sample desorption. The ambient plasma source will utilize the Martian atmosphere, which is mainly composed of carbon dioxide, to form a reduced-pressure carbon dioxide inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to ionize the plume of sampled analytes. The tuning circuit will compensate any plasma variation and maintain the plasma source at resonance during operation. The ion funnel module, which will be derived by a radio frequency power supply, will efficiently extract the ions and guide them into the mass spectrometer to increase sensitivity. The laser diode module will produce a plume of sample analytes from the sample surface with high spatial resolution at both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) wavelengths. During phase I, the self-tuning plasma ionization module will be designed and constructed, and the ion funnel will be designed and simulated with SIMION and then prototyped. Commercially-available laser modules at various wavelengths will be selected and experimentally validated. These modules will then be pieced together to develop a breadboard prototype of the MADIE by the conclusion of phase I. Preliminary experiments will be conducted to test the efficiency of the MADIE.","benefits":"In addition to the primary application for in-situ solid sample analysis, the proposed technology may be used for: 1) Atmospheric Chemical Analysis: The MADIE can be retrofitted to miniature mass spectrometers for atmospheric measurements without the laser module; 2) Biological Sample Analysis in Reduced Pressure: The MADIE can be used to for imaging of biological tissues that are placed in low-pressure chamber with a variety of plasma gases, 3) Air Quality Monitoring During Manned Missions: The proposed technology may be used as an ambient ionization source that can be deployed with on-board mass spectrometers for air quality monitoring; 4) Breath Analysis: The technology may be utilized with miniature mass spectrometers for performing breath analysis; 5) Optical Emission Spectroscopy: The MADIE can be used in combination with optical emission spectroscopy systems to study the emission spectra of various gaseous molecules; and 5) Plasma Treatment: The proposed technology may provide an efficient sterilization method that can be used on a robotic arm to treat small desired surfaces, for example, for sterilization or changing surface chemistry.<br /> <br />The proposed technology may be utilized in a wide range of government and industrial applications. 1) Government Applications: Instruments for fast, real-time and accurate sample analysis has widespread applications in many U.S. government programs. For example, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all need field deployable systems for fast and accurate detection of explosives, drug molecules, pesticides, toxics chemicals and atmospheric species. 2) Industrial Applications: The proposed technology may be used in various industrial application as a reduced-pressure sample interrogation platform when combined with a mass spectrometer. For example, pharmaceutical and food industries need instruments for quality/contamination control.","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","viewCount":479,"destinationType":["Others_Inside_the_Solar_System"],"trlBegin":3,"trlCurrent":4,"trlEnd":4,"lastUpdated":"01/22/26","favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"projectContacts":[{"contactId":70170,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Charles","lastName":"Malespin","fullName":"Charles A Malespin","fullNameInverted":"Malespin, Charles A","middleInitial":"A","email":"charles.a.malespin@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Project_Manager","projectContactId":546941,"projectId":93367,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Project Manager"},{"contactId":325742,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Mazdak","lastName":"Taghioskoui","fullName":"Mazdak Taghioskoui","fullNameInverted":"Taghioskoui, Mazdak","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Principal_Investigator","projectContactId":546942,"projectId":93367,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Principal Investigator"}],"programContacts":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","email":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":143,"programId":73,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","email":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":194,"programId":73,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"leadOrganization":{"organizationId":2887,"organizationName":"Trace Matters Scientific, LLC","organizationType":"Industry","city":"North Bethesda","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"20852","dunsNumber":"966120045","uei":"WT5JQNJFD7J9","cageCode":"68AS9","projectId":93367,"projectOrganizationId":574759,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"otherOrganizations":[{"organizationId":2887,"organizationName":"Trace Matters Scientific, LLC","organizationType":"Industry","city":"North Bethesda","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"20852","dunsNumber":"966120045","uei":"WT5JQNJFD7J9","cageCode":"68AS9","projectId":93367,"projectOrganizationId":574759,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},{"organizationId":4947,"organizationName":"Goddard Space Flight Center","acronym":"GSFC","organizationType":"NASA_Center","city":"Greenbelt","stateTerritoryId":3,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"20771","projectId":93367,"projectOrganizationId":574760,"organizationRole":"Supporting_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Supporting Organization","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"},{"organizationId":2854,"organizationName":"Rice University","organizationType":"Academia","city":"Houston","stateTerritoryId":29,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"TX","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Texas","stateTerritoryId":29,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"77005","murepUnitId":227757,"academicDegreeType":"Private_4_year","projectId":93367,"projectOrganizationId":574761,"organizationRole":"Supporting_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Supporting Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Academia"}],"primaryTx":{"taxonomyNodeId":11221,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11216,"code":"TX08.1.5","title":"Lasers","description":"Passive laser technologies, such as laser heterodyne radiometry, can involve low-power elements such as distributive feedback (DFB) lasers. Active laser systems that pass through the atmosphere to make a measurement, such as light detecting and ranging (LIDAR), require higher-powered laser elements.","exampleTechnologies":"Pulsed lasers, and the electro-optical components that support them like fibers, gratings, crystals, laser diodes, electro-optical modulators, nanolasers","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":false,"isPrimary":true,"hasInteriorContent":true},"primaryTxTree":[[{"taxonomyNodeId":11215,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"code":"TX08","title":"Sensors and Instruments","level":1,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11216,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11215,"code":"TX08.1","title":"Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors","description":"Remote sensing instruments and sensors include components, sensors, and instruments that are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation; particles (charged, neutral, dust); electromagnetic fields, both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC); acoustic energy; seismic energy; and whatever physical phenomenology the science requires. These instruments and sensors can be active or passive devices, depending on the measurement regime and detection technology.","level":2,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11221,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11216,"code":"TX08.1.5","title":"Lasers","description":"Passive laser technologies, such as laser heterodyne radiometry, can involve low-power elements such as distributive feedback (DFB) lasers. Active laser systems that pass through the atmosphere to make a measurement, such as light detecting and ranging (LIDAR), require higher-powered laser elements.","exampleTechnologies":"Pulsed lasers, and the electro-optical components that support them like fibers, gratings, crystals, laser diodes, electro-optical modulators, nanolasers","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":true,"hasInteriorContent":true}]],"technologyOutcomes":[],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":366425,"presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"libraryItemId":365842,"description":"Ambient Desorption, Ionization, and Extraction Source for Mars Exploration, Phase I Briefing Chart Image","projectId":93367,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"","libraryItemTypePretty":"","modifiedDateString":""},"libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":366426,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T8_01-9980","fileSize":43460,"objectId":365843,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"42.4 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":366426,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T8_01-9980","fileSize":43460,"objectId":365843,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"42.4 KB"}],"libraryItemId":365843,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Ambient Desorption, Ionization, and Extraction Source for Mars Exploration, Phase I Briefing Chart","libraryItemType":"Document","projectId":93367,"isPrimary":false,"internalOnly":false,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"01/22/25 01:10 AM","libraryItemTypePretty":"Document","modifiedDateString":"01/08/24 08:27 PM"},{"file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":366425,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T8_01-9980","fileSize":32753,"objectId":365842,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"32.0 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":366425,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T8_01-9980","fileSize":32753,"objectId":365842,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"32.0 KB"}],"libraryItemId":365842,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"Ambient Desorption, Ionization, and Extraction Source for Mars Exploration, Phase I Briefing Chart Image","libraryItemType":"Image","projectId":93367,"isPrimary":true,"internalOnly":false,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"01/22/25 01:10 AM","libraryItemTypePretty":"Image","modifiedDateString":"01/08/24 08:27 PM"}],"states":[{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3,"isTerritory":false},{"abbreviation":"MA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Massachusetts","stateTerritoryId":30,"isTerritory":false},{"abbreviation":"TX","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Texas","stateTerritoryId":29,"isTerritory":false}],"endDateString":"Jun 2018","startDateString":"Jun 2017"}}