Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems

Development of a Mobile Diagnostic Platform for the use on Self-Contained, Exploration Rovers Within Harsh Environments

Business Unit »Smart Systems«

Microfluidic cartridge with integrated actuators for the uptake of the photonic sensor.
© Fraunhofer ENAS
Microfluidic cartridge with integrated actuators for the uptake of the photonic sensor.
The final system fit into a small package including the microfluidic cartridge, electronics and a laser module.
© Fraunhofer ENAS
The final system fit into a small package including the microfluidic cartridge, electronics and a laser module.

In the future, autonomous robotic systems will be increasingly used for exploration purposes under harsh conditions. In addition to image recording, the demand to be able to perform biochemical analyses is increasing. The demand for smart, mobile systems for remote sample processing and analysis is growing.

In the PBSA project (Photonic Biosensor for Space Application, GA 312942), Fraunhofer ENAS, in cooperation with several European partners, researched the suitability of a combination of sensor, microfluidics and protein detection for miniaturization into a mobile system. The combination of a highly sensitive photonic sensor with selective biochemical functionalization allowed its use as an omnipotent analytical panel. Adapted to this, a microfluidic cartridge was developed which, due to its unique fluid handling, can also perform complex biochemical detection without human interaction. Due to the consequent miniaturization, the necessary laboratory electronics could be combined with sensor and cartridge to a handy system, the functional proof of which could already be demonstrated to representatives of the EU.