"The instrument to be developed for this program is based upon an analytical technique known as Raman spectroscopy and will be included in a Martian planetary mission to be launched by NASA in 2003," said Christian Schoen, vice president of Laramie's Detection Limit, Inc.

NASA chose the company, Schoen says, because of its proven ability in developing rugged, lightweight compact spectroscopic instruments suitable for field use. Development of a prototype system is expected to take two years under an $850,000 NASA contract.

Detection Limit, located at the Laramie Regional Airport, manufactures spectroscopic instrumentation for use in science, industry, and education.

Keith Carron, Detection Limit vice president for research and University of Wyoming professor of chemistry, says Raman spectroscopy is an ideal technique for finding evidence of life or life-like chemistry on other planets.

"Previous probes on Mars have concentrated on finding the elements that make up the Martian surface," Carron said. "Detection Limit's Raman probe will be able to show how the elements are combined and will determine if life-like structures exist."

Schoen says an example of the power of Raman spectroscopy was demonstrated a few years ago when Carron identified hemoglobin molecules in a 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex trabecular bone.

Also, says Schoen, approval of the NASA project is an example of the successful collaboration that exists between UW and small businesses throughout Wyoming.

The initial lead to the NASA contract began with Chris Busch of UW's Small Business Innovative Research program, who introduced us to Ray Friesenhahn at NASA's TechLink," Schoen said. "This led to a collaboration with David Dickensheets, Montana State University electrical engineering professor, and Ronald Marrs, UW geology and geophysics professor. Together as a team, Detection Limit was able to put together a proposal to NASA that was chosen from more than 40 other proposals.

The NASA project is a plus for both UW and for the entire state, says Eugene Watson, Detection Limit vice president of marketing.

"The NASA grant to a Wyoming-based company shows what can happen when the University and Wyoming businesses work together to develop and market an idea," Watson said. "UW can assist businesses with grant writing and laboratory research. The grants can provide the seed capital for start-up of a new business. Research in UW laboratories can insure that that the ideas will work. Also, UW students work in the labs during their studies and are ready to move into the businesses following graduation. They bring their grant writing and laboratory experience with them."

For information about how the SBIR program can help to build a successful Wyoming business, call Carron at 766-2811 or send e-mail to carron@uwyo.edu.

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