Polymer-based microfluidics with surface-enhanced Raman-spectroscopy-active periodic metal nanostructures for biofluid analysis.
The use of microfluidics for biofluid analysis offers a cheaper alternative to conventional techniques in disease diagnosis. However, traditional microfluidics design may be complicated by the need to incorporate separation elements into the system in order to facilitate specific molecular detection. Alternatively, an optical technique known as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) may be used to enable identification of analyte molecules directly from a complex sample. This will not only simplify design but also reduce overall cost. The concept of SERS-based microfluidics is however not new and has been demonstrated previously by mixing SERS-active metal nanoparticles with a model sample, in situ, within the microchannel. Although the SERS reproducibility of these systems was shown to be acceptable, it is, however, not stable toward variations in the salt content of the sample, as will be shown in this study. We have proposed a microfluidics design whereby periodic SERS-active metal nanostructures are fabricated directly into the microchannel via a simple method of spin coating. Using artificial as well as human urine samples, we show that the current microfluidics is more stable toward variations in the sample's ionic strength.
Kho
Kiang Wei
KW
National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, No. 05-05, Singapore, 169610.
Qing
Kristin Zhu Mei
KZ
Shen
Ze Xiang
ZX
Ahmad
Iman Binte
IB
Lim
Samanta Sing Chin
SS
Mhaisalkar
Subodh
S
White
Timothy John
TJ
Watt
Frank
F
Soo
Kee Chee
KC
Olivo
Malini
M
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D017979:Gold Colloid / Q000737:chemistry*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013499:Surface Properties; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000295:instrumentation*
D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D017979:Gold Colloid; D011108:Polymers; C520895:SU-8 compound