Droplet-based raman spectroscopy platform for low-level acrylamide detection in water
A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing platform using a nanostructured colloidal metasurface embedded in an elastomer stamp. A single water droplet is dried onto the stamp to capture and optically detect acrylamide contaminants in under 20 minutes, without molecular tags.
Overview
This technology is a droplet-based optical sensing platform designed to detect acrylamide contaminants in water using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The approach enables rapid, label-free chemical detection by drying a single drop of water onto a reusable metasurface stamp, concentrating the analyte and producing a vibrational fingerprint for high-specificity identification. The platform targets acrylamide monitoring needs in water quality and food safety applications, delivering results in under 20 minutes without the need for molecular tags or complex sample preparation.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Colloidal metasurface embedded in an elastomer stamp serves as the SERS-active substrate
- Surface functionalization of the nanostructured metasurface enables selective analyte capture and concentration from a dried water droplet
- Label-free detection provides a vibrational fingerprint for chemical specificity without molecular tags
- Validated performance on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with a limit of detection of 2.5 nM and a quantitative range from 2.5 nM to 2.5 µM
- Rapid readout targeting detection in under 20 minutes from sample collection to result
- Simple sampling workflow requiring only a single drop of water dried onto the metasurface stamp
Technology readiness level
The underlying metasurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (mSERS) platform has been experimentally validated for detecting "forever chemicals" such as PBDEs in water, with demonstrated limits of detection and quantitative detection ranges. Systematic studies have confirmed that surface functionalization enables water sampling and analyte concentration on the mSERS substrate. Future work will adapt the surface functionalization chemistry for acrylamide capture and conduct dosed water experiments to determine the limit of detection for acrylamide. The team is seeking funding for key personnel and supplies to advance acrylamide-specific validation.
About University of California, San Diego
UC San Diego is a comprehensive public research university in La Jolla, anchored by an integrated academic health system. On the east campus, the 23‑acre Science Research Park co‑locates corporate R&D with university programs and connects to the health sciences district, enabling daily interaction among scientists, clinicians, and companies. The Jacobs School’s Corporate Affiliates Program provides structured engagement and recruiting, while the Office of Innovation & Commercialization supports IP, licensing, and startup formation. The research enterprise is sustained by competitive federal funding, with recent awards exceeding $1.7B annually. Established commercialization pathways streamline sponsored research and help partners move from proof of concept to deployment.
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