Nano-Enabled Sampling for SERS-Based Trace Explosive Detection

We propose a new Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering sampling chip and cell design of permeable/porous polymer matrix embedded with multi-layered gold nano-particles. The approach leverages the leading-edge micro-optical component development and manufacture at Agiltron and extensive experience in nano-material engineering within the research group headed by Prof. Vladimire V. Tsukruk at Iowa State University. Our novel sampling chips feature high detection sensitivity, fast data collection, and reproducibility that are not yet attainable. The proposed sampling cell can be designed to be compatible with commercial Raman probe, enabling much higher detection speed and sensitivity than those of the state of the art Raman detection, making portable Raman trace detection of explosives a reality. This proposed Raman system is extraordinarily well suited for trace detection of explosives, and other chemical and biological agents, toxic species, and biological species as well. This Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.