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

This invention enhances the performance of the ExCALiBR (Extractor for Chemical Analysis of Lipid Biomarkers in Regolith) life detection instrument by introducing an improved method for performing thin layer chromatography (TLC) on unknown chemical samples to separate component chemicals for spectrometric analysis. The key feature of this system is enabling lateral flow TLC on a horizontally oriented plate within a sealed environment, in contrast with a typically upright configuration with one end of a TLC plate inserted into a solvent. It uses controlled heating and cooling to manage solvent condensation and evaporation, generating a continuous solvent flow that improves analyte separation. In this system, heating the TLC plate causes the solvent to evaporate, which in turn drives additional capillary flow toward the region where evaporation occurs. When this evaporation front reaches the end of the plate, the system enables the solvent to continue migrating beyond the point where it would normally stop. As a result, the analyte can continue to separate even after the initial solvent front has reached the plate’s physical boundary. The design also allows re concentration of diffused analyte bands and reversal of solvent flow direction to re separate bands that may have merged. 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.