Nanospray Ionization for Coupling Capillary Electrophoresis with Mass Spectrometry for In Situ

Introduction: The objective of this research effort is to develop the technology and operational protocols necessary to build and test a flight-sized brassboard composite instrument comprised of a microCE system, a nanoelectrospray ionization source, and a mass spectrometer, capable of performing integrated end-to-end chemical analyses on samples that are of paramount interest in astrobiology (see Fig. 1). More specifically, this integrated Lab-on-a-Chip instrument, when paired with an appropriate means of sample preparation, will enable in situ detection and analysis of target compounds on Mars or the moons of the Outer Solar System. Targets of interest include biotic or prebiotic organic compounds such as amino acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids and small aromatic compounds and inorganic compounds such as SO4, NO2, etc. of which the isotopic ratio of S, O, and N can carry geological and volcanological and possible metabolic information.