Easier Monitoring of Environmental Pollution Also Possible
New Delhi: Detecting explosives like TNT and RDX is set to become easier. Alongside this, monitoring environmental pollution will also become simpler. All this will be made possible by a new device made from smart nanomaterials, known as Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). This could play a crucial role in ensuring airport security. SERS works by amplifying the molecular “fingerprint” signals of chemicals, allowing for accurate identification even in challenging conditions.
Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru—an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—have developed an innovative multi-layered nanomaterial. Each layer serves a specific function. The team fabricated this composite material using physical vapor deposition techniques. The result is a uniform and scalable sensing platform. Thanks to its exceptional sensitivity, durability, and simple fabrication process, this advanced Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrate holds great potential for airport security and environmental pollution monitoring, especially in scenarios where rapid and accurate chemical detection can be immensely beneficial.
