But unlike a tricorder, it has to ingest a sample to analyse it, Nasa said.
As on a regular laptop, we have different apps for different analyses.
Amino acids are building blocks of proteins, while fatty acids are key components of cell membranes.
Both of these acids can be found in living as well as non-living sources.
It is likely that life on other worlds might use the right-handed kind.
However, the devices final trick is to tell the difference by studying carbon chain lengths.
This was the first time we showed the instrument works outside of the laboratory setting, says Mora.
This is the first step toward demonstrating a totally portable and automated instrument that can operate in the field.
source: www.techworm.net
