Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analogue of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: An analyte in water is quantified by mixing an internal standard with a water sample. The sample is analyzed with a Raman spectrometer. The analysis includes mapping the signal from the Raman spectrometer to the quantity of said analyte. The mapping can include using a calibration curve, for example a multivariate calibration curve, that was previously prepared with the internal standard. In other examples, a sample is measured after addition of a known amount of the analyte.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.

Abstract: In a method of measuring the amount of metaldehyde in water, a water sample of known volume is mixed with an isotopologue, a colorimetric dye and Raman-scattering nanoparticles. The water sample contains an analyte, for example metaldehyde. Optionally, the analyte may be treated to form a compound reactive with the dye. The amount of the analyte is measured by producing a Raman spectrum of the mixture and performing a ratiometric analysis of the Raman spectrum to quantify the analyte.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analogue of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analogue of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analogue of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analogue of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analog of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analog of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system component and method for analysis of airborne analytes by absorbing the analytes into a liquid and interrogating the liquid with an analytical instrument. In some examples, a cartridge with a microfluidic chip contains a vessel of a colloidal solution of nanostructured particles in a liquid. The vessel is broken, releasing the solution into microfluidic containers on the chip. Air having analytes is passed over the chip leading to absorption of airborne analytes into the solution. The analytes bind with the nanostructures and are detected optically. Techniques are disclosed for filling the vessel in a way that maintains the efficacy of the solution until it is needed for measurement.

Abstract: Solid-type SERS-active substrates (e.g., noble metallic nanostructured powders or noble metallic nanoparticle-coatings on beads, microbeads, particles, etc.) are contained within optically-transparent modules. The modules allow for the controlled introduction of analyte-bearing fluid(s) into SERS-active substrates. The modules also allow for the monitoring of SERS signals emanating from analyte(s) which have accumulated on the confined SERS-active substrates. These SERS signals may be monitored over time by direct readout of the SERS substrates through the optically transparent module for chemical analysis and chemical detection applications.

Abstract: For a rapid and real-time SERS detection of organic chemicals in the air and the interfaces of air/solids, colloidal silver and/or gold nanoparticles solution is sprayed, in the form of nano-/micro-sized droplets, at the desired target area where the analytes of interest are present, e.g., in the air or onto certain organic/inorganic interfaces.

Abstract: A microfluidic separation device is provided that includes a first sample channel region and a second sample channel region, where the first sample channel region has an array of channels that are smaller than the second channel region, a first detection region and a second detection region located at the interface of the first sample channel region, a detection channel, an illuminating electric field, Raman-scattering nanoparticles having surface plasmon resonances for detection when illuminated by the electric field, where the resonances create an enhanced local electric field along specific directions resulting in an enhanced Raman response, and a nanoparticle input channel disposed to input the nanoparticles into the second sample channel region, where the nanoparticles are larger than the cross-section of the first sample channel region and the cross-section of the second detection region, where the nanoparticles collect in the first detection region to form region of densely packed nanoparticles.

Abstract: SERS-active materials are delivered to a remote zone, then optically interrogated to detect and analyze from a safe distance the presence of explosives or other materials which may or may not be hazardous. Delivery methods include deploying projectiles comprising SERS-active material(s) which distribute their contents upon deployment to a target zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detection and/or analysis of gas phase analytes and chemical compounds. The apparatus can be formed with microfluidic cells containing a selected fluid that interacts with the analyte(s), wherein the fluid can selectively transition between a vapor phase and a liquid phase. During condensation of the fluid, the population of analytes present within the vapor phase region of the fluid can be transported into the liquid phase region of the fluid within the microfluidic cells. During evaporation of the fluid, the analytes can be substantially retained within liquid phase region of the fluid and within the cells. Repetitive cycling of this vapor/liquid exchange can provide a build-up of the analytes within the microfluidic cells where they can be detected/analyzed.