Abstract: A method includes determining a first change from a first FTIR spectrum of bare SEIRA structures to a second FTIR spectrum of SEIRA structures bound with complementary molecules; determining a second change from the second FTIR spectrum to a third FTIR spectrum of SEIRA structures bound with the complementary molecules and the target molecules; and determining a presence and/or a concentration of the target molecule. The method may include determining an area ratio indicative of a concentration of the target molecule. A device includes a plurality of wells to receive an amount of the sample. Each well is isolated from any other of the plurality of wells. A SEIRA sensor is disposed in each well, in which the SEIRA sensor is configured with a resonant response in a plurality of resonant peak frequencies distributed over a range of frequencies.

Abstract: A SERS substrate includes: a base, an array of nanostructures formed on the base, a first coating disposed on the array of nanostructures, and a second coating disposed on the first coating. The first coating includes a thin film formed of a noble metal. The second coating includes a metallic/semimetallic two-dimensional material. The metallic/semimetallic two-dimensional material may include one or more transition metal dichalcogenides. A method of making a SERS substrate include: plasma etching a base to form an array of nanostructures on the base; forming a first coating on the array of nanostructures, the first coating being a thin film formed of a noble metal; and forming a second coating on the first coating. The method may further include: forming a plurality of two-dimensional flakes using electrochemical exfoliation; and depositing the plurality of two-dimensional flakes after the first coating is formed.

Abstract: A portable device which detects a Raman signal from an analyte of interest contained in or suspected to contain in a sample. The portable device includes a laser source in optical communication with a dichroic mirror, an objective lens optically positioned to consolidate the laser from the laser source to the sample, (i) a pair of rotatable filters in optical communication with the dichroic mirror and an optical transmission module or (ii) a first band-pass filter in optical communication with the dichroic mirror and an optical transmission module, and a detector optically positioned to receive and detect a Raman signal produced from the laser incident on the analyte of interest. The dichroic mirror directs the laser from the laser source to the sample through the objective lens and transmits any Raman signal from the sample toward the detector. The detector is absent of a spectrometer and detects the Raman signal.

Abstract: A method of identifying one or more bacteria from a sample, where the one or more bacteria is suspected to be present in the sample. An aqueous suspension including a bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex is provided, where the bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex includes (i) a SERS nanoparticle and (ii) the one or more bacteria suspected to be present in the sample. Furthermore, the aqueous suspension is deposited on a substrate having structures coated with a SERS-active material to dispose the bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex on the substrate. Additionally, the bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex disposed on the substrate is irradiated to generate one or more SERS signals. Furthermore, a SERS-spectroscopic module is operable to render one or more SERS spectral data corresponding to the one or more SERS signals. Additionally, a process module is operable to identify the presence or absence of the one or more bacteria from the one or more SERS spectral data.

Abstract: A biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane configured to detect biomarkers in a sample. The biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane includes a flexible and porous polymer membrane and SERS-active nanoparticles formed on the flexible and porous polymer membrane, where the flexible and porous polymer membrane includes cellulose or an elastomeric polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method of forming the biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane and a method of determining a state of wound healing in a diabetic individual involving the use of the biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane.

Abstract: A portable device which detects a Raman signal from an analyte of interest contained in or suspected to contain in a sample. The portable device includes a laser source in optical communication with a dichroic mirror, an objective lens optically positioned to consolidate the laser from the laser source to the sample, (i) a pair of rotatable filters in optical communication with the dichroic mirror and an optical transmission module or (ii) a first band-pass filter in optical communication with the dichroic mirror and an optical transmission module, and a detector optically positioned to receive and detect a Raman signal produced from the laser incident on the analyte of interest. The dichroic mirror directs the laser from the laser source to the sample through the objective lens and transmits any Raman signal from the sample toward the detector. The detector is absent of a spectrometer and detects the Raman signal.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for detecting an analyte using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is provided. The method comprises (a) contacting one or more analyte-binding molecules with the analyte under conditions that allow binding of the analyte to the one or more analyte-binding molecules to form a first mixture, wherein the analyte is preferably haptogloblin and the analyte-binding molecule may comprise haemoglobin or is a haptogloblin antibody, (b) contacting a liquid reagent comprising a peroxidase substrate and a peroxide source with the first mixture to form a second mixture, while maintaining pH of the second mixture at 10 or less, (c) quenching the second mixture to form a third mixture, (d) optionally contacting the third mixture with a SERS-active substrate, and (e) detecting a surface enhanced Raman signal from the third mixture and/or a surface of the SERS-active substrate.

Abstract: A method of identifying a Mycobacterium using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), disclosed herein, comprises disposing a sample suspected to comprise a Mycobacterium on a SERS-active substrate, detecting surface enhanced Raman signals corresponding to an alpha-mycolic acid, a methoxy-mycolic acid, and a keto-mycolic acid from the sample disposed on the SERS-active substrate, and determining one or more ratios of intensity of the surface enhanced Raman signals to identify the Mycobacterium. Disclosed herein also includes a method of detecting a mycobacterial disease using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), the method comprising identifying a Mycobacterium according to the method described above, and determining the mycobacterial disease based on the Mycobacterium identified.

Abstract: A biosensor for the detection of an analyte using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is provided. The biosensor includes a SERS-active substrate and a microfludic circuit device arranged to be in fluid communication with the SERS-active substrate. Method of manufacturing a biosensor, and methods for detecting an analyte using the biosensor, wherein the analyte may be haptoglobin, are also provided.

Abstract: A biosensor for the detection of an analyte using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is provided. The biosensor includes a SERS-active substrate and a microfludic circuit device arranged to be in fluid communication with the SERS-active substrate. Method of manufacturing a biosensor, and methods for detecting an analyte using the biosensor, wherein the analyte may be haptoglobin, are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for detecting an analyte using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is provided. The method comprises (a) contacting one or more analyte-binding molecules with the analyte under conditions that allow binding of the analyte to the one or more analyte-binding molecules to form a first mixture, wherein the analyte is preferably haptogloblin and the analyte-binding molecule may comprise haemoglobin or is a haptogloblin antibody, (b) contacting a liquid reagent comprising a peroxidase substrate and a peroxide source with the first mixture to form a second mixture, while maintaining pH of the second mixture at 10 or less, (c) quenching the second mixture to form a third mixture, (d) optionally contacting the third mixture with a SERS-active substrate, and (e) detecting a surface enhanced Raman signal from the third mixture and/or a surface of the SERS-active substrate.