Patent ID: 8792095

Claim:
A microfluidic system for the detection of airborne analytes, the system comprising: at least one condensation site comprising a microcell with a bottom surface, enclosed sidewalls, and top surface partially open to air; a fluid medium contained in the microcell, the fluid medium comprising an air/liquid interface providing selectivity for targeted airborne analytes; nanostructures having surface-enhanced-Raman-spectroscopy (SERS) active surfaces for the adsorption of analytes, the nanostructures adhered to the bottom surface of the microcell; a cyclical vapor/liquid exchange pumping system that cycles the fluid medium through evaporation and condensation phases, whereby analytes condense with the fluid medium and aggregate with the nanostructures; and, a Raman spectrometer, wherein cycling the fluid medium through evaporation and condensation phases comprises active cycling of the fluid medium through the evaporation phase, the condensation phase, or both.