Flexible Carrier for Single Molecule Detection on Irregular Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for single molecule detection using Raman spectroscopy are limited by the need for rigid substrates, which restrict real-time, in situ, or in vivo detection on irregular surfaces, as they require molecule extraction and cannot handle objects with anomalous shapes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible carrier with a substrate, middle layer, and metal layer is developed, featuring a patterned bulge structure with intersecting strip-shaped bulges and holes, enhancing surface plasmon resonance for improved Raman scattering, allowing detection on irregular surfaces without extracting molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rigid substrates (glass, silicon, quartz) are used for single molecule detection, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to detect molecules on irregular surfaces in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid substrates with flexible thin film structures comprising multiple layers (substrate layer, middle layer, metal layer) that can conform to irregular surfaces. The flexible substrate and thin film design enable the detection system to adapt to curved and complexly shaped objects while maintaining single molecule detection capability through the preserved metal layer structure that generates surface plasmon resonance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite multi-layer structure consisting of a substrate layer, middle layer, and metal layer. This composite material approach combines the mechanical flexibility of the substrate and middle layer materials with the optical properties of the metal layer, achieving both adaptability to irregular surfaces and enhanced Raman scattering for precise single molecule detection.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid substrates are used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement of molecule extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible thin film structure allows the detection device to be directly applied to samples containing molecules on irregular surfaces without requiring extraction or isolation of individual molecules. The flexibility enables direct contact with complex geometries, simplifying the operational procedure while the controlled fabrication process maintains manufacturing precision.
3Measurement precision
If metal layer with patterned bulge structure is implemented, then surface plasmon resonance is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements patterned bulge structures with specific geometries (intersecting strip-shaped bulges forming net structures with holes) in the metal layer to create localized surface plasmon resonance enhancement at specific locations. This local quality approach concentrates the enhancement effect at the patterned regions where molecule detection occurs, achieving high measurement precision while the systematic fabrication process manages the device complexity.
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
Enables real-time, in situ detection of single molecules on irregular surfaces with enhanced sensitivity, overcoming the limitations of rigid substrates and facilitating the analysis of molecules on curved or complexly shaped objects.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible carrier with a substrate, middle layer, and metal layer is developed, featuring a patterned bulge structure with intersecting strip-shaped bulges and holes, enhancing surface plasmon resonance for improved Raman scattering
Implementation Method 2
A laser irradiation is supplied to the single molecule samples by a Raman detection system to cause a Raman scattering and produce a Raman spectroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier for single molecule detection is related. The carrier includes a substrate; a middle layer, on the substrate; and a metal layer, on the middle layer; wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate, the middle layer includes a base and a patterned bulge on the base, the patterned bulge includes a plurality of strip-shaped bulges, the metal layer is on the patterned bulge.