Re-cleaneable SERS devices for Personalised Health and Environmental sensing

Funder	European Commission
Recipient Organization	The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge
Country	United Kingdom
Start Date	Jun 01, 2025
End Date	Nov 30, 2026
Duration	547 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Coordinator
Data Source	European Commission
Grant ID	`101212602`

Grant Description

We have invented an optical enhancement technique based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using self-assembled gold nanostructures that can fingerprint a wide range of bioanalytes (neurotransmitters, hormones) at clinical concentrations in biofluids.

Current SERS substrates suffer from poor repeatability, fouling from organics, and non-reusability, which is why they have not made it into biomedical use.

We have developed a new capability to create precision nano-gap materials that trap light to generate ultra-reliable billion-fold detection enhancements, while also allowing repeated recleaning.

This makes low-cost SERS sensing a viable technology capable of translation, potentially with deployment below €1k and sub-1¢ per test.