Spectrometer Module for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy in Glucose Analysis

科学家们已经开发出一些令人难以置信的强大和复杂的技术来识别化学物质并在实验室中测量其浓度。然而，在日常情况下进行这些测量仍然是一个重大挑战。例如，表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)作为一种痕量化学检测技术得到了广泛的认可，但它仍然局限于少数专业实验室。出于这个原因，斯温本理工大学的保罗·斯托达特博士认识到需要更实用的SERS探测器用于现场应用。他的团队现在已经开发出一种专有的SERS探测器，该探测器基于一根略大于一根头发的光纤。这些光纤可以构成现场便携式SERS光谱仪的核心元件。最近，美国发现SERS可以用来监测血液中的葡萄糖，这一发现推动了这项工作。长期以来，连续血糖监测仪的开发一直是传感器研究的圣杯，因为数以百万计的糖尿病患者经常进行痛苦的手指刺痛测试。为了使SERS为血糖监测提供实用的解决方案，人们认识到SERS光纤是微创探头所必需的。在生物制药公司和澳大利亚糖尿病研究信托基金的支持下，斯托达特博士的团队现在已经证明，可以大量生产敏感的SERS探针。下一个目标是开发一种低成本的SERS光谱仪原型，作为连续血糖监测系统的一部分。这将需要开发一种可与SERS探测器对接的激光光源和光谱系统。建议使用澳大利亚设计和制造的基于低功率窄线宽激光二极管的激光系统。该项目计划将Swinburne大学、OptoTech和Grey Innovation结合在一起，以开发一种可商业扩展的强大设备。

Scientists have developed a number of incredibly powerful and sophisticated techniques to identify chemicals and measure their concentrations in the laboratory. However, it remains a major challenge to perform these measurements under everyday circumstances. For example, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has gained widespread recognition as a technique for trace chemical detection, but it remains confined to a small number of specialist laboratories. For this reason, Dr Paul Stoddart at Swinburne University of Technology recognised a need for more practical SERS probes for field applications. His team has now developed a proprietary SERS probe, based on an optical fibre that is little thicker than a hair. These optical fibres can form the core element of field-portable SERS spectrometers. This work has recently been boosted by the discovery in the United States that SERS can be used to monitor glucose in blood. The development of a continuous glucose monitor has long been a holy grail of sensor research, because of the millions of diabetes sufferers who regularly perform the painful finger prick test. For SERS to provide a practical solution to glucose monitoring, it is recognised that SERS optical fibres are needed for minimally invasive probes. With support from Biopharmica and the Diabetes Australia Research Trust, Dr Stoddart's team has now demonstrated that sensitive SERS probes can be produced in large quantities. The next objective is to develop a prototype low-cost SERS spectrometer for use as part of a continuous glucose monitoring system. This will require the development of a laser source and spectroscopic system that can interface to the SERS probes. It is proposed to use an Australian designed and manufactured laser system based on a low-power narrow-linewidth laser diode. The project plans to bring together Swinburne University, OptoTech and Grey Innovation in order to develop a commercially scaleable and robust device.