Detection of Molecular and Biomolecular Species by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

This Phase I STTR will develop a SERS detection system using nanoshells, a new class of nanoparticles with significant near field enhancement resulting from the ability to design and manufacture the particle with desired peak plasmon resonance.Preliminary data indicate that nanoshells may reproducibly provide film-based SERS enhancements of up to 10^14. This proposed research will involve (i) the use of modeling techniques for the optimization of nanoshell-based substrates specific to thebackscattering collection geometry of the system at 750 nm wavelengths, (ii) the investigation of deposition methods for the manufacturing of nanoshell-based films, and (iii) experimental testing of the resulting nanoshell-based film substrates for Ramansensing. Successful completion of this research will result in the development of a generalizable platform for SERS sensing optimized to near infrared wavelengths in order to reduce background fluorescent noise from contaminants in analytes of interest.This reserch will result in a broad-based platform for the extension of SERS research by providing a reliable and consistent level of SERS enhancement for multiple modalities. This platform will be offered for sale to collaborators as a platform to extendtheir own research as well as offer commercialization opportunities for the detection of small molecules and biomolecules will a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.