Abstract: A method for obtaining chemical and/or material specific information of a sample based on scattered light. The method comprises receiving detection data comprising at least two images. Each image is indicative of the intensity of scattered light i) for incident light of a different wavelength, or ii) for incident light of a different polarization state, or iii) of a different polarization state. The scattered light comprises an elastic scattering component that is due to Rayleigh scattering of the incident light in at least a portion of the sample. Alternatively, each image is indicative of the intensity of scattered light i) of a different wavelength, or ii) for incident light of a different polarization state, or iii) of a different polarization state, wherein the scattered light comprises an inelastic scattering component that is due to Raman scattering of the incident light in at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a construct for the detection of an analyte using surface enhanced spectroscopic techniques. The construct includes linked surfaces, where the link is formed by a linker providing a fixed inter-surface separation between the linked surfaces, wherein the linker is a linking compound, and at least one of the surfaces is the surface of a nanoparticle. The linking compound is suitable for interacting with the analyte. The linking compound may be a cucurbituril. The surface enhanced spectroscopic technique may be surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Abstract: Metal nanovoids are grown on a stretchable plastic film. The fabrication proceeds by assembling the template of a single layer of close packed silica spheres on a conducting substrate. A conducting layer is then electrochemically grown on top to form a master. An elastomeric precursor is then coated on the master (e.g. by spinning) and is cured before removal. The resulting plastic film is then coated with a thin (e.g. 20 nm) layer of noble metal (e.g. Au, Ag or Cu), to produce a flexible film. Applications for such tuneable structural color would be coating of injection molded artifacts, such as mobile phone covers, car bodies to form an iridescent skin, wall and fascia decorations, loudspeaker coatings, architectural tent coverings, and clothing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a construct for the detection of an analyte using surface enhanced spectroscopic techniques. The construct includes linked surfaces, where the link is formed by a linker providing a fixed inter-surface separation between the linked surfaces, wherein the linker is a linking compound, and at least one of the surfaces is the surface of a nanoparticle. The linking compound is suitable for interacting with the analyte. The linking compound may be a cucurbituril. The surface enhanced spectroscopic technique may be surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Abstract: Metal nanovoids are grown on a stretchable plastic film. The fabrication proceeds by assembling the template of a single layer of close packed silica spheres on a conducting substrate. A conducting layer is then electrochemically grown on top to form a master. An elastomeric precursor is then coated on the master (e.g. by spinning) and is cured before removal. The resulting plastic film is then coated with a thin (e.g. 20 nm) layer of noble metal (e.g. Au, Ag or Cu), to produce a flexible film. Applications for such tuneable structural colour would be coating of injection moulded artefacts, such as mobile phone covers, car bodies to form an iridescent skin, wall and fascia decorations, loudspeaker coatings, architectural tent coverings, and clothing.