Security & Biothreat Applications of Klarite®

Providing detect-to-warn systems for homeland security

The unique fingerprint spectra provided by SERS methods can be compared to databases of known substances, providing excellent detection selectivity. This enables a simple identification read-out easily interpreted by a non-technical user against thousands of potential threats.

Lightweight first responder systems have already been developed to obtain Raman signals from concentrated samples. However, for the trace identification required for early warning systems, weak Raman signals can be increased dramatically via the use of specially structured surfaces.

Klarite technology allows this surface enhancement to be reproducible and reliable enough to be used in homeland security applications targeted toward detect-to-warn applications.

Detection of a sample on a Klarite device is fast - often taking only a few seconds - and non-destructive. This means that Klarite can be combined with other detection technologies to further reduce the potential for false positive and false negative readings.

Partners are actively being sought by Renishaw Diagnostics to exploit the homeland security applications potential of Klarite.

Benefits of Klarite to Security Applications

Klarite surface enhanced Raman detection offers numerous benefits to early detection of homeland security threats, including high selectivity and specific identification.

It is extremely sensitive; detection of single molecules has been recorded with variations of surface enhanced Raman technology. The technology is also compatible with portable first responder reader instruments on the market.

However these benefits do not have to be taken in isolation, as the technique can be combined with other detection technologies to provide even more robust warning systems.

Fast detection, in seconds to minutes, with little to no sample preparation, enables the triggering of additional detection elements. Non-destructive, optical reading enables sample transfer to orthogonal detection techniques for confirmation.