Device and methods of detection of airborne agents

US8017408B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Carl D. Meinhart · Lompoc, US
• Brian Piorek · Lompoc, US
• Seung Joon Lee · Daejeon, KR
• Martin Moskovits · Toronto, CA
• Sanjoy Banerjee · Lompoc, US
• Juan G. Santiago · Fremont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 25, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2011
• Expiry date: May 17, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S977/902
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.