Patent ID: 8247238

Claim:
A system comprising: a microfluidic device comprising: a substrate; a fluid flow channel having a first end and a second end located in or on the substrate; at least one free-surface interface region located between the first end and the second end, wherein the free-surface interface region is open on at least one side to atmospheric air comprising an analyte; an excitation area, wherein electromagnetic energy excites a SERS probe in a fluid flowing in the fluid flow channel containing analytes; and a detection area, wherein an emitted spectra is detected by a detection device, wherein the free-surface interface region is in fluid communication with the excitation and detection areas and wherein analytes in the sample are absorbed into the fluid; a detection device that detects the presence of analyte species by Raman spectroscopy or SERS measurements on a substrate fixed to the microchannel walls or in the bulk liquid solution contained within the microchannel; and an electromagnetic energy source that excites a nanoparticle in the excitation area.