Digital SERS Platform for Low-Concentration Biomolecule Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immunoassays for detecting biomolecules and viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, face limitations in sensitivity, reliability, and reproducibility due to signal variability from metal nanostructures in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrometry, particularly at low concentrations, limiting detection to 1 pM or less and narrowing the dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
A digital surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing platform with Raman active particles featuring a spherical plasmonic metal core, a plasmonic metal shell with surface unevenness, and a self-assembled monolayer with a Raman reporter, combined with Raman spectroscopic detection and digital signal analysis, enhances detection reliability and reproducibility by analyzing the product of Raman signal intensity and digital count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If SERS spectrometry is used for detecting substances at low concentration, then detection sensitivity is improved, but reliability and reproducibility deteriorate due to signal variability from metal nanostructures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the size, shape, and composition of metal nanostructures to optimize SERS signal enhancement. By controlling nanoparticle parameters (size distribution, aspect ratio, material composition), the patent achieves consistent signal enhancement across different batches, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining high detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining metal nanoparticles (gold, silver, copper) with semiconductor quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles in core-shell or heterostructure configurations. These composite structures provide multiple functions: SERS enhancement from metal surfaces, size-dependent optical properties from quantum dots, and magnetic manipulation capability, thereby achieving both high sensitivity and reliable, reproducible detection.
2Measurement precision
If conventional immunoassays are used for detecting biomolecules, then detection capability is achieved, but detection time is increased due to required amplification process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the amplification step from conventional immunoassays by directly utilizing SERS signal enhancement from metal nanoparticle-substrate interactions. The intrinsic signal enhancement (10^6 to 10^8 times) provided by SERS allows direct detection of trace substances without requiring enzymatic or other amplification processes, thereby dramatically reducing detection time while maintaining high detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If SERS spectrometry is used for detecting substances at 1 pM or less, then detection limit is improved, but dynamic range becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using stimuli-responsive materials and adjustable detection parameters. The system can dynamically adjust detection conditions (excitation wavelength, nanoparticle concentration, substrate configuration) to optimize performance across different concentration ranges, enabling both ultra-low detection limits (1 pM or less) and a wide dynamic range for quantitative measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The platform achieves accurate quantitative detection of substances at extremely low concentrations (1 fM or less) with improved reliability and reproducibility, expanding the dynamic range and reducing relative standard deviation to 20% or less, enabling reliable detection of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Implementation Method 1
surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrometry, which uses a phenomenon in which an intensity of Raman scattering originated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) which is collective oscillations of free electrons on the surface of a metal nanostructure increases rapidly by 106 to 108 times or more when molecules are adsorbed on the surface of a metal nanostructure
Implementation Method 2
Raman spectroscopic detection unit that performs Raman mapping based on a Raman spectrum which is detected by irradiating the active reagent with an excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a digital surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing platform which allows quantitative detection of a substance to be detected reliably and reproducibly with an excellent limit of detection in a large dynamic range, including: a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active reagent which includes Raman active particles including a spherical plasmonic metal core, a plasmonic metal shell having a surface unevenness, and a self-assembled monolayer including a Raman reporter positioned between the core and the shell; a Raman spectroscopic detection unit which performs Raman mapping based on a Raman spectrum which is detected by irradiating the active reagent with an excitation light; and a digital signal analysis unit which analyzes a quantitative detection signal of a substance to be detected by a combination of a Raman signal intensity calculated from the Raman spectrum and a digital count calculated from the Raman mapping.