NASA Tech Explorer
Back to the catalog

Issued patent

Lateral Flow Thin Layer Chromatography (LF TLC): Instrumentation to Enable In Situ Separation of Organics

An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.

View at technology.nasa.gov
Media from NASA Technology Transfer

About this technology

Overview

NASA Ames Research Center has developed a compact, lightweight thin layer chromatography (TLC) method to separate complex mixtures and enhance molecular characterization on thin films. Building on the patented ExCALiBR instrument for extracting trace organics from regolith, Ames researchers created Lateral Flow TLC (LF TLC), which uses a low temperature thermal gradient to drive solvent laterally across a flat plate. This gravity independent, horizontal design narrows initial deposition, concentrates bands, and improves resolution, especially for lipid biomarkers. The technique integrates with Raman, IR, laser ionization/desorption MS, DESI MS, and DART MS, and supports reduced gravity environments for planetary missions. It also has strong potential beyond space, including applications in pharmaceutical development, diagnostic testing, chemical analysis, and R&D laboratories.