Trace detection of analytes using portable raman systems
| DWPI Title: Apparatus for performing in-situ detection of trace amount of e.g. illicit drugs, by e.g. military personnel, has insert whose surfaces are configured to attract molecules of analyte, where insert is inserted into Raman spectroscopy system |
| Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for in situ detection of a trace amount of an analyte are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) insert including a passageway therethrough, where the passageway has a SERS surface positioned therein. The SERS surface is configured to adsorb molecules of an analyte of interest. A concentrated sample is caused to flow over the SERS surface. The SERS insert is then provided to a portable Raman spectroscopy system, where it is analyzed for the analyte of interest. |
| Use: Apparatus for performing in-situ detection of trace amount of an analyte such as contraband materials e.g. explosives and illicit drugs, and environmental pollutants, by personnel e.g. military personnel, civilian safety personnel and homeland security personnel. |
| Advantage: The apparatus can leverage properties of SERS to enable in-situ trace detection of the analyte, where concentrated volume of the analyte is provided to the SERS surface, and adsorbs sufficient volume of molecules to the SERS surface to allow the portable Raman system to detect existence of the molecules of the analyte on the SERS surface since the concentrated sample comprise an enhanced concentration of molecules of the analyte relative to air in a region proximate to the system, thus reducing occurrences of false positives and/or increasing ability of detecting whether the region includes traces of the analyte. |
| Novelty: The apparatus (100) has a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) insert (102) comprising a proximal end (104) and a distal end (106). Passageways (108) extend laterally through the SERS insert from the proximal end to the distal end of the SERS insert. SERS surfaces (110) of the SERS insert are respectively positioned in the passageways, where each of the SERS surfaces is configured to attract molecules of an analyte. The SERS insert is inserted into a handheld Raman spectroscopy system. |
| Filed: 8/27/2014 |
| Application Number: US14469933A |
| Tech ID: SD 11859.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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