This hopeful professor really wants to find aliens on Mars.

Popular Science reports that a professor of genetics at Harvard University is currently working on a processor that can detect alien life. While NASA seems to have stalled any future plans in taking man beyond the International Space Station, Professor Gary Ruvkun is shooting to have this new processor on some type of land-roving vehicle bound for Mars.

According to the report, the chip will use a combination of buffer solution, detergent, and high-frequency sound waves to disrupt microscopic cells found within the Martian dust. This disruption will cause the cells to release their genetic material. Chemicals in the chip then amplify the released DNA and label it with fluorescent dyes.

Naturally there are many factors leaning against this new chip: an environment of extreme cold temperatures, potentially high doses of radiation, and NASA's overall faltering schedule. With that in mind, Ruvkun and his team have loads of time to perfect the alien detector, as the team is still only 3-percent of the way into condensing the technology down into a small device for rover or other Martian vehicle use.

Although it's highly doubtful that we'll see this technology at work in our lifetime, Ruvkun thinks that the chip has at least a 50-percent chance in finding something on Mars. If it actually does work, Ruvkun suggested that everyone break out the champagne and have a toast.