SPuMP · Project

Miniature Precision Pump for Space Experiments and Portable Medical Diagnostics

healthPilotedTRL 6

spump.github.io

Imagine trying to run a chemistry experiment in space — you need to move tiny amounts of liquid around without any shaking or pulsing, which is incredibly hard when there's no gravity to help. SpacePharma built a miniature pump the size of a matchbox that delivers perfectly smooth, pulse-free flow and can even keep your chemicals refrigerated at 4°C until you're ready to use them. It's like having a precise lab assistant that works flawlessly whether you're orbiting Earth on a nano-satellite or running a quick blood test at a rural clinic. The same technology that enables drug crystallization experiments in space also fits inside portable point-of-care medical devices on the ground.

By the numbers

1,000

estimated microfluidic experiments per year in microgravity research market

initial target market share of microgravity experiments

4°C

reagent storage temperature with on-reservoir control

EUR 906,150

EU contribution for development to production-readiness

TRL 6

target technical readiness level

The business problem

What needed solving

Running precise fluid experiments in space is extremely difficult — current pumps create pulsations that ruin delicate experiments, cannot maintain reagent temperatures, and are too bulky for nano-satellite payloads. On Earth, portable diagnostic devices face similar challenges: they need ultra-precise, compact, pulse-free pumps that are easy to integrate. An estimated 1,000 microfluidic experiments are conducted yearly in microgravity, many limited by inadequate pump technology.

The solution

What was built

SpacePharma built a miniature pump (SPuMP) with pulsation-free flow, precision flow control, and on-reservoir temperature control at 4°C. Deliverables progressed from a breadboard prototype through a fully integrated hardware-software system to a space-readiness-tested unit declared ready for production and sales.

Audience

Who needs this

Commercial space experiment providers operating nano-satellite payloadsPoint-of-care medical device manufacturers needing compact precision pumpsPharmaceutical companies conducting protein crystallization researchMicrofluidics system integrators building lab-on-a-chip platformsSpace agencies and research organizations running microgravity experiments

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Space Research Services

SME

Target: Commercial microgravity experiment providers and satellite payload operators

If you are a space research company struggling with unreliable fluid handling in microgravity — this project developed a miniature pump with pulsation-free flow and on-reservoir temperature control at 4°C, designed for nano-satellite payloads. It targets 5% of the estimated 1,000 microfluidic experiments performed yearly in microgravity, enabling previously impossible experiments like direct droplet-based macromolecular crystallization.

Point-of-Care Diagnostics

SME

Target: Medical device manufacturers developing portable diagnostic systems

If you are a diagnostics company building compact point-of-care devices and need ultra-precise, pulse-free liquid delivery in a small package — this project built a miniature pump system that integrates easily into closed fluidic systems. Its compact size, smooth flow, and simple filling mechanism make it suitable for portable blood analyzers and rapid test platforms where sample handling precision is critical.

Pharmaceutical R&D

enterprise

Target: Pharma companies conducting protein crystallization and drug formulation research

If you are a pharmaceutical company investing in protein crystallization for drug development — this project created a pump that enables droplet-based macromolecular crystallization in microgravity, an environment that produces higher-quality crystals than Earth-based labs. The temperature-controlled reservoir keeps reagents stable at 4°C until use, solving a major pain point in remote or automated crystallization experiments.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this system cost and how is it priced?

The project received EUR 906,150 in EU funding for development through to production-readiness. Specific unit pricing is not disclosed in the project data. Contact SpacePharma directly for commercial pricing on the pump system.

Can this scale to industrial production volumes?

The final deliverable was a completed system that has undergone space readiness testing and is described as 'ready for production and sales.' The project was funded under the SME Instrument Phase 2, which specifically targets commercialization. Production scaling would depend on SpacePharma's manufacturing capacity.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

SpacePharma R&D Israel Ltd is the sole consortium partner and likely holds all IP rights. As a single-company SME Instrument project, licensing negotiations would be straightforward — one company owns everything. Contact SpacePharma for licensing terms.

How mature is this technology — can I use it today?

The project targeted Technology Readiness Level 6 (system demonstrated in relevant environment). Deliverables include a breadboard model, fully integrated system, packaged space-ready system, and a completed system that passed space readiness testing. This indicates a product at or near commercial readiness.

What makes this pump different from existing microfluidic pumps?

Based on project data, SPuMP offers three differentiators: pulsation-free flow (critical for droplet experiments), highly accurate flow control, and on-reservoir temperature control down to 4°C for reagent stability. Existing pumps for microgravity research reportedly have 'numerous limitations' that have discouraged potential customers.

What is the target market size?

The project estimates approximately 1,000 microfluidic experiments per year in the microgravity research market. SPuMP initially targets 5% of that market. The secondary market in portable point-of-care devices is mentioned but not quantified in the project data.

Does it only work in space or also on Earth?

While developed for microgravity environments and nano-satellite payloads, the project explicitly states SPuMP has 'a wide range of uses in the portable microfluidic system market, such as with point of care devices' due to its compact size, smooth flow, and ease of integration into closed systems.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a solo-company project: SpacePharma R&D Israel Ltd is the only partner, an SME with 100% industry composition. There are no university or research institute partners, which means all development is commercially driven with no academic dependencies. This is typical of SME Instrument Phase 2 projects where a single company brings a near-market product to commercialization. For a business buyer, this simplifies everything — one company owns the technology, makes the decisions, and holds the IP. The EUR 906,150 EU investment went entirely to product development at SpacePharma. The absence of academic partners suggests the core science was already done and the project focused on engineering a market-ready product.

How to reach the team

SpacePharma R&D Israel Ltd — contact through SciTransfer for introduction to the team

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to evaluate SPuMP for your microfluidic application? SciTransfer can arrange a technical discussion with SpacePharma and help you assess fit for your use case.

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