Objective:
1) To develop the Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic (SERS) method as a rapid and routine detection technique and 2) to fabricate and characterize SERS nanoprobe to provide localized and non-destructive SERS identification from surfaces of bulk samples with large spatial selectivity.

Approach:
1) To develop the SERS method as a rapid and routine detection technique, stability and consistency of silver SERS substrates with the storage time and fabrication batch as well as the interaction between toxin/pathogen and substrates will be examined first and 2) To develop innovative SERS nanoprobe, which could provide localized and non-destructive SERS identification from surfaces of bulk samples with large spatial selectivity.