A Raman Spectroscopy System for (Bio)Chemical Analyses and Materials Characterization

用于（生物）化学分析和材料表征的拉曼光谱系统

• 批准号: RTI-2023-00399
• 负责人: Docoslis, Aristides
• 金额: $ 10.89万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=747125
• 关键词: Raman; Spectroscopy; System; Bio; Chemical

Raman spectroscopy is an analytical method that enables time-efficient and ultrasensitive physicochemical characterization of chemical and biological samples. It can combine the benefits of highly sensitive, albeit centralized and complex, equipment with the user-friendliness of portable but less sensitive units. One mode of Raman spectroscopy, "Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering" (SERS), is an especially powerful technique that can produce up to a 10^14-fold signal enhancement, thus reaching single-molecule detection capabilities. The research labs of Docoslis and co-applicants rely heavily on the use of Raman spectroscopy in their efforts to create innovative products, make discoveries, train highly qualified personnel (HQP), and lead multiple collaborations with industry and government. Numerous research programs pioneered by our groups are presently in jeopardy because of our failing Raman spectroscopy equipment, which urgently needs replacement. The work of at least 16 HQPs, 5 ongoing research projects and 4 established collaborations with government and industry are threatened to be "in irons" by a Raman spectroscopy system that is 16 years old, well past its service life (> 20,000 hours of use), and not upgradeable due to its poor condition. The frequent breakdowns of that system (over 4 months of downtime in 2022 alone) have already taken a toll on our research productivity. Even when operational, the system underperforms, as it has lost most of the functions that we rely on for properly performing our work. The new Raman system will support at least six research labs at Queen's University, serving as the mainstay for existing and future cross-disciplinary collaborations with government/industry and other academic researchers within and outside Queen's. Four existing research Programs presently rely on that system. Program 1 uses SERS to develop methods for rapid detection and identification of illicit drugs. These methods will be used for harm reduction in people who use drugs, or by Law enforcement agencies and Correctional Services of Canada to fight drug-related crime. Program 2 aims to develop SERS-based techniques for early identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, thereby saving human lives by guiding the correct prescription of antibiotics against infections. Program 3 aims to develop Raman-based methods for on-site monitoring of Chemicals of Emerging Concern in the environment and protect people from being accidentally exposed to them. Finally, Program 4 uses Raman spectroscopy for studying and characterizing graphene-based products, to guide us in the development of innovative and scalable processes for their production. It will also assist in the creation of novel graphene-polymer composites for durable coatings, smart materials, and flexible electronics. We expect that, over the next 5 years, approximately 42 HQP within our groups and many external users will be trained in the use of this new Raman Spectroscopy system.

拉曼光谱是一种分析方法，能够对化学和生物样品进行时间有效和超灵敏的物理化学表征。它可以联合收割机结合高度敏感的优点，虽然集中和复杂，设备与用户方便的便携式，但不太敏感的单位。拉曼光谱的一种模式，“表面增强拉曼散射”（Sers），是一种特别强大的技术，可以产生高达10^14倍的信号增强，从而达到单分子检测能力。Docoslis和共同申请人的研究实验室在很大程度上依赖于拉曼光谱的使用，以努力创造创新产品，进行发现，培训高素质人才（HQP），并领导与行业和政府的多项合作。由于我们的拉曼光谱设备出现故障，迫切需要更换，我们团队开创的许多研究项目目前正处于危险之中。至少有16个HQP的工作，5个正在进行的研究项目和4个与政府和工业界建立的合作受到拉曼光谱系统的威胁，该系统已有16年的历史，远远超过其使用寿命（> 20，000小时的使用），并且由于其恶劣的条件而无法更换。该系统的频繁故障（仅2022年就停机超过4个月）已经对我们的研究生产力造成了影响。即使在运作时，该系统也表现不佳，因为它已经失去了我们正常开展工作所依赖的大部分功能。新的拉曼系统将支持皇后大学的至少六个研究实验室，作为现有和未来与政府/行业和皇后大学内外其他学术研究人员进行跨学科合作的支柱。目前有四个研究项目依赖于该系统。方案1使用Sers开发快速检测和识别非法药物的方法。这些方法将用于减少吸毒者的伤害，或由加拿大执法机构和惩教署用于打击与毒品有关的犯罪。计划2旨在开发基于SERS的技术，用于早期识别抗生素耐药细菌，从而通过指导抗生素的正确处方来挽救人类生命。计划3旨在开发基于拉曼光谱的方法，用于现场监测环境中新出现的化学品，并保护人们免受意外暴露。最后，项目4使用拉曼光谱研究和表征石墨烯产品，指导我们开发创新和可扩展的生产工艺。它还将有助于创造用于耐用涂层，智能材料和柔性电子产品的新型石墨烯聚合物复合材料。我们预计，在未来5年内，我们集团内约有42名HQP和许多外部用户将接受使用这种新的拉曼光谱系统的培训。