The Rice researchers found that nanoparticles returned SERS signals 25 times stronger than similar nanorods with smooth surfaces. Such signal magnitude may make it possible to detect very small amounts of organic molecules, such as DNA and bio-markers, found in bodily fluids, for particular diseases.
An associate Professor of Chemistry - Eugene Zubarev - stated "There's a great deal of interest in sensing applications," "SERS takes advantage of the ability of Au to enhance electromagnetic fields locally. Fields will concentrate at specific defects, like the sharp edges of our nanostarfruits, and that could help detect the presence of organic molecules at very low concentration."
The researchers also sought to grow longer nanowires, which when matched with their optical advantages may reveal unique electrical properties. Ongoing experiments with a fellow researcher - Stephan Link - an assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, will help ascertain the starfruit nanowires ability to transmit a plasmonic signal. The smoothness, reproducibility and repeatability of such signals could be useful for waveguides and other optoelectronic devices.
DCN Corp believes it has also contrived a novel 9 Combination (9c) SERS dip coating protocol, which could smartly screen cancerous tumours as well as other cardiovascular conditions/diseases as an early-, mid- and late-point nano bio-marker therapeutic methodology, which could strongly compete with the claims made by the Rice University researchers. Therefore, if you believe you or your colleagues are interested in making the above a reality - please ensure to contact the company as soon as practicably possible.