SBIR-STTR Award

Fluorescence Imager for Microbial Monitoring of Habitat Surfaces
Award last edited on: 1/23/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : GRC
Total Award Amount
$931,479
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
H3.02
Principal Investigator
John Sarik

Company Information

Nanohmics Inc (AKA: Nanohmics LLC)

6201 East Oltorf Street Suite 400
Austin, TX 78741
   (512) 389-9990
   info@nanohmics.com
   www.nanohmics.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 35
County: Travis

Phase I

Contract Number: 80NSSC21C0319
Start Date: 5/11/2021    Completed: 11/19/2021
Phase I year
2021
Phase I Amount
$131,480
Future missions will benefit from a device that can quickly and accurately assess the microbial status of habitat surfaces. Current state of the art technology relies on sampling surfaces and performing molecular processes on the samples to determine the microbial burden. Nanohmics proposes to create a handheld, consumable-free device that provides microbial mapping using a fluorescence spectroscopy imager. Additionally, the ultraviolet light source used for fluorescence excitation can also be used for disinfection, which can reduce the need for microbial monitoring. The core technology is based on a visible-spectrum imaging spectrometer developed under NASA SBIR funding, relying on a ~1 gram micro-optical chip to provide complete spatial-spectral registration with real-time data capture. This lightweight, low-power device can easily be integrated into new or existing platforms to enable autonomous microbial monitoring that eliminates the need for manual sample collection, preparation, and processing. In the Phase I program, with feedback from the technical monitor, we will select relevant microorganisms and collect fluorescence spectroscopy of the target microorganisms on relevant surfaces. This data will be used to develop classification methods and inform the design of a prototype microbial mapping device. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): A compact fluorescence spectroscopy imager is an ideal nondestructive examination (NDE) tool that provides real time measurements of bioburdens. For inspections, the device could improve the detection threshold, identify and quantify the contamination, and create a map of contamination hot spots. The device is also well suited to in situ applications. It could be an enabling element in a system that can verify the required level of cleanliness of a sample-handling facility for Martian samples. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): A compact fluorescence spectroscopy imager has multiple applications in medical, defense, and industrial markets. This device could be used in hospitals to map pathogens on surfaces and validate the efficacy of disinfection systems to reduce hospital-acquired infections. This device could also be used for bio-agent sensing for defense applications. Duration: 6

Phase II

Contract Number: 80NSSC22CA079
Start Date: 4/6/2022    Completed: 4/5/2024
Phase II year
2022
Phase II Amount
$799,999
As next generation lunar missions and interplanetary human spaceflight grow closer, the ability to assess habitat surface microbial content quickly and accurately has become increasingly significant. Current state of the art technology relies on astronaut swabbing of surfaces and subsequently performing molecular analysis on the samples to determine the microbial burden. To alleviate this burden, Nanohmics Inc., proposes to continue advanced development of an autonomous, fluorescence imaging detector (AFID) for microbial mapping demonstrated during the Phase I program. The key components of the unmanned, aerial, 3D-sensing AFID system are a custom fluorescence detector with excitation sources controlled by embedded image acquisition and processing that uses spectral fingerprints and machine learning to differentiate between bacteria, fungi, and other organic material. The goal of the Phase II program will be design, optimization, and performance demonstration of the AFID system ability to generate a microorganism map of the total bioburden on simulated habitat surfaces relevant to future human spaceflight. The final AFID prototype will be advanced to TRL 5-6 over the course of the Phase II program with the ability to distinguish bacteria (detection threshold > 500 CFU/100 cm2) and fungi (detection threshold > 10 CFU/100 cm2) which meet the pre-flight and in-flight microbial mapping microbial monitoring requirements as defined by the International Space Station Medical Operations Requirements Documents (ISS MORD). Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Numerous NASA applications benefit from ensuring proper disinfection of surfaces, particularly habitat protection applications. This technology would enable in-situ measurement of spacecraft, lander, rover, and instrument cleanliness. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): A fluorescence imager has multiple applications in the medical, defense, and industrial markets. This technology could be applied to ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection systems used in hospitals to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to ensure proper disinfection and identify pathogens in the hospital. This technology could also be used for bio-agent sensing for defense applications. Duration: 24