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Updated: Jul 25, 2025

VacuSIP, an Improved InEx Method for In Situ Measurement of Particulate and Dissolved Compounds Processed by Active Suspension Feeders
Published on: August 3, 2016
Submersible Capillary Electrophoresis Analyzer: A Proof-of-Concept Demonstration of an In Situ Instrument for Future
Tomas Drevinskas1, Maria F Mora1, Mauro S Ferreira Santos1
1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States.
Abstract:
We report here the first fully automated capillary electrophoresis (CE) system that can be operated underwater. The system performs sample acquisition and analysis by coupling CE to contactless conductivity detection. Using 5 M acetic acid as the background electrolyte (BGE), inorganic cations and amino acids at concentrations as low as 5.2 μM can be separated and identified. This technology could be augmented to include a variety of other detection modes. This system serves as an early prototype for potential future underwater explorers on ocean worlds of the outer solar system such as Europa or Enceladus. This work documents the first step in the development of this general-purpose technology platform.
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