Abstract: A kit of components is used in the detection, identification, analysis, and quantitation, by SERS, of a designated target analyte in a sample, comprising: packaging means normally containing a SER-active device component providing a support structure including a SER-active material, a collection component, a container component containing a liquid reagent comprised of a SER-active material, and a component for introducing the liquid reagent into the SER-active device. At least one of the SER-active materials is functionalized with an agent having the specific capability of binding the designated target analyte, and is accessible for the deposit thereon of liquid analyte samples. The SER-active device is constructed for receiving the liquid reagent and for enabling irradiation and collection of Raman-scattered radiation, by and from a Raman spectrometer, cooperatively generated by SER-active metals of the SER-active materials.

Abstract: A SERS method and apparatus employ a sample device having support structure including a first material containing a SER-active metal functionalized with a binding agent having specific capability for binding a designated target analyte. An analyte sample is introduced upon the functionalized SER-active metal; conditions to effect binding of the target analyte to the binding agent are maintained; unbound chemicals, biochemicals, or biologicals are removed; a second SER-active material is introduced to cause it to attach to the bound target analyte; the support structure is irradiated to generate a SER spectrum, with the first and second SER-active materials acting in concert; and the SER spectrum is detected and analyzed to determine the presence and quantity of the target analyte. Alternatively, the second SER-active material may be functionalized with a binding agent, with the procedure being modified accordingly.

Abstract: A capillary column (10) includes a tube structure having inner walls (14) and a sol-gel substrate (16) coated on a portion of inner walls (14) to form a stationary phase coating (18) on inner walls (14). The sol solution used to prepare the sol-gel substrate (16) has at least one baseline stabilizing reagent and at least one surface deactivation reagent resulting in the sol-gel substrate (16) having at least one baseline stabilizing reagent residual and at least one surface deactivating reagent residual. A method of making the sol-gel solution is by mixing suitable sol-gel precursors to form the solution, stabilizing the solution by adding at least one baseline stabilization reagent, deactivating the solution by adding at least one surface deactivation reagent to the solution, and reacting the solution in the presence of at least one catalyst.

Abstract: A SERS method and apparatus employ a sample device having support structure including a first material containing a SER-active metal functionalized with a binding agent having specific capability for binding a designated target analyte. An analyte sample is introduced upon the functionalized SER-active metal; conditions to effect binding of the target analyte to the binding agent are maintained; unbound chemicals, biochemicals, or biologicals are removed; a second SER-active material is introduced to cause it to attach to the bound target analyte; the support structure is irradiated to generate a SER spectrum, with the first and second SER-active materials acting in concert; and the SER spectrum is detected and analyzed to determine the presence and quantity of the target analyte. Alternatively, the second SER-active material may be functionalized with a binding agent, with the procedure being modified accordingly.

Abstract: A capillary column (10) includes a tube structure having inner walls (14) and a sol-gel substrate (16) coated on a portion of inner walls (14) to form a stationary phase coating (18) on inner walls (14). The sol solution used to prepare the sol-gel substrate (16) has at least one baseline stabilizing reagent and at least one surface deactivation reagent resulting in the sol-gel substrate (16) having at least one baseling stabilizing reagent residual and at least one surface deactivating reagent residual. A method of making the sol-gel solution is by mixing suitable sol-gel prescursors to form the solution, stabilizing the solution by adding at least one baseline stabilization reagent, deactivating the solution by adding at least one surface deactivation reagent to the solution, and reacting the solution in the presence of at least one catalyst.

Abstract: A weak organic acid is used to effect the release of CaDPA from Bacillus or Clostridium endospores, rapidly and at room temperature, to enable detection and measurement of DPA and thereby the assessment of risk associated with exposure to Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum, and like spores. The method can be applied to airborne, food-borne, and water-borne spores, as well as to spores collected from surfaces or contained in body fluids, and analysis is advantageously carried out using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: The method and apparatus rapidly separate drugs and their metabolites from saliva and, in a continuous sequence of steps, rapidly detect, identify and quantify them through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: The method and apparatus rapidly separate drugs and their metabolites from saliva and, in a continuous sequence of steps, rapidly detect, identify and quantify them through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method for obtaining quantitative surface-enhanced Raman (SER) spectra that corrects for deficiencies of, and variations in, the materials and devices employed, especially the SER-active media utilized, employs a reference chemical, having an effective surface-enhanced Raman factor, of known concentration within the same SER experimental field of view as the analyte chemical being measured. Knowledge of the relative amounts of SER-scattering for the reference chemical and analyte chemical allows calculating the concentration of the latter to a high degree of accuracy and precision.

Abstract: A capillary column (10) includes a tube structure having inner walls (14) and a sol-gel substrate (16) coated on a portion of inner walls (14) to form a stationary phase coating (18) on inner walls (14). The sol solution used to prepare the sol-gel substrate (16) has at least one baseline stabilizing reagent and at least one surface deactivation reagent resulting in the sol-gel substrate (16) having at least one baseline stabilizing reagent residual and at least one surface deactivating reagent residual. A method of making the sol-gel solution is by mixing suitable sol-gel precursors to form the solution, stablizing the solution by adding at least one baseline stabilization reagent, deactivating the solution by adding at least one surface deactivation reagent to the solution, and reacting the solution in the presence of at least one catalyst.