Detection of Opiates using Droplet Microfluidics and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy*

Droplet microfluidics is combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect chemicals that result from illicit opiate manufacturing. The opiate epidemic causes approximately 60,000 overdose deaths in the US annually. There is a fundamental need for remote detection of chemical byproducts that emanate from illicit manufacturing.  

To this end, we have developed an extremely sensitive detector that can identify these byproducts autonomously in remote settings. Droplet microfluidics allows for long term continuous operation of a single microfluidic chip for more than one week at a time, without significant surface fouling. In addition, the discrete reaction chambers of each droplet limits the aggregated of nominally 40nm diameter silver particles. This prevent clogging of the microchannels that can result from over aggregation of the nanoparticles.