Abstract: A gold nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate used in coordination with a handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting phenylalanine (Phe) in a sample collected from a subject, the gold NAAO substrate comprising a multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer; and a gold layer disposed on top of the multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer. The gold layer comprises gold nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a gold nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate used in coordination with a handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting phenylalanine (Phe) in a sample collected from a subject, the method comprising forming a three-phase system on top of a multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer of the gold NAAO substrate; injecting a cosolvent solution into the three-phase system, wherein the cosolvent solution comprises gold nanoparticles; forming a gold layer on top of the multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer, and drying the gold NAAO substrate.

Abstract: Extension apparatus for locating a battery remotely from an appliance, and accessibly. An extension cord has male and female terminals at each end. Each end has one female terminal and one male terminal. The terminals connected to the appliance are either snap fit terminals or coaxial terminals. At one end, the terminals correspond to those of the battery. At the other end, they manually connect to wiring terminals compatible with the battery terminals. The extension cord may terminate in a "dummy" battery, so that it occupies and is stably retained in the battery compartment of the appliance when connected to the appliance wiring. A battery enclosure stores a battery for powering the appliance and accepts penetration of the extension cord for internal connection to the battery. Terminals of the extension cord at the battery enclosure are snap fit terminals. The battery enclosure preferably has internal spool structure for winding and storing excess length of the extension cord.