Master's Thesis Proposal

Avik Banerjee 

(Advisor: Prof. Christopher Carr)

"Software Architecture Development of Single Molecule Detection 
Instrumentation for Astrobiology Exploration" 

Friday, November 1st  

9:00 a.m.  
Engineering Science & Mechanics Building 108 
 

Abstract 

A primary goal of planetary exploration is the search for life beyond Earth, particularly by detecting biomolecular signatures on celestial bodies like Europa and Enceladus, which may have the conditions to support life. The Electronic Life-detection Instrument for Europa/Enceladus (ELIE) is designed to detect amino acids, RNA, DNA, and other charged polymers indicative of life. Based on the benchtop nanogap detection technology developed by Osaka University, the original ELIE prototype successfully demonstrated the detection of single molecules in a zero-g flight. However, this system was relatively large and required manual operations such as chip loading and cleaning. Designed to address these limitations, the ELIE 2.0 prototype marked a significant improvement by reducing the system’s mass and volume and demonstrating the novel ability to monitor gap size during nanogap formation. ELIE 2.0 also laid the foundation for automated sample delivery and electrophoresis. Despite these advancements, ELIE 2.0 had critical issues relating to noise, leading to the development of ELIE 3.0. ELIE 3.0 aims to address these challenges and increase the instrument’s TRL. This work focuses on developing software architecture to integrate new hardware, including a new amplifier to enable multi-channel detection and control across the nanogap chip; and a smaller vacuum-compatible piezoelectric actuator, requiring software modifications to optimize its performance. To improve precision detection, calibration scripts will be developed to fine-tune voltages across the E4 channels, ensuring minimal noise and maximum signal clarity. Additionally, a centralized dispatch loop will automate key ELIE functions, accounting for each of their dependencies, and streamlining 30 μl sample delivery, gap formation and control, and sample measurement. All this functionality will be packaged into GUI software that provides user-friendly testing and system operation. The ELIE 3.0 prototype will enable experiments that advance the instrument hardware/software from TRL 2 to TRL 4. 

Committee 

•    Prof. Christopher Carr – School of Aerospace Engineering (advisor)
•    Prof. Masatoshi (Toshi) Hirabayashi – School of Aerospace Engineering
•    Prof. Brian Gunter – School of Aerospace Engineering