Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) dosimeter and probe
AssigneeMartin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
InventorTuan Vo-Dinh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dosimeter and probe for measuring exposure to chemical and biological compounds is disclosed. The dosimeter or probe includes a collector which may be analyzed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The collector comprises a surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active material having a coating applied thereto to improve the adsorption properties of the collector. The collector may also be used in automated sequential devises, in probe array devices.
Claims19
A dosimeter and probe for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting predetermined materials in a gaseous environment to determine the presence of and exposure to predetermined such materials comprising:
- a collector further comprising:
- a SERS-active material;
- and
- a coating applied to said SERS-active material having different sorptive properties for the predetermined materials than said SERS-active material, said coating being operable in the presence of the predetermined materials to sorb and thereby position the predetermined materials in the vicinity of said SERS-active material and thereby alter the SERS characteristics of said collector;
- a dosimeter housing for isolating a volume from the environment, said volume containing said collector and isolating said collector from said environment;
- and
- admission means for selectively admitting samples from the environment to said volume for exposure to said collector.
A dosimeter for collection of a predetermined chemical or biological component for analysis by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, said dosimeter comprising:
- a diffusion chamber secured to and extending outwardly from a base to define an outer end of said chamber and an inner end of said chamber adjacent to said base;
- and
- a collector positioned within said chamber, said collector comprising:
- a SERS-active material;
- and
- a coating applied to said SERS-active material having different sorptive properties for the predetermined component than said SERS-active material, said coating being operable in the presence of the predetermined component to sorb and thereby position the predetermined component in the vicinity of said SERS-active material and thereby alter the SERS characteristics of said collector.
An automated sequential-multiprobe (ASM) device for monitoring predetermined materials, said ASM device comprising:
- a cartridge of unexposed collectors, each of said collectors comprising a SERS-active material, and a coating applied to said SERS-active material having different sorptive properties for the predetermined materials than said SERS-active material, said coating being operable in the presence of the predetermined materials to sorb and thereby position the predetermined materials in the vicinity of said SERS-active materials and thereby alter the SERS characteristics of said collectors;
- means for sequentially exposing each of said collectors to a sample medium;
- and
- means for retrieving said exposed collectors.
A dosimeter/probe array (DPA) device for monitoring predetermined materials, said DPA device comprising:
- a plurality of collectors, each of said collectors comprising a SERS-active material, and a coating applied to said SERS-active material having different sorptive properties for the predetermined materials than said SERS-active material, said coating being operable in the presence of the predetermined materials to sorb and thereby position the predetermined materials in the Vicinity of said SERS-active materials and thereby alter the SERS characteristics of said collectors;
- and
- means for analyzing the SERS signal of each one of said collectors which is exposed to an analyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.