CeNS researchers develop multi-layer nanomaterial to help detect harmful chemicals and explosives
According to the Department of Science and Technology, noble metals like gold and silver have traditionally been vital for signal enhancement.
However, the high cost of gold and the poor long-term stability of silver remain significant obstacles to their commercial viability.
The department said that in recent years, numerous methods have emerged to detect harmful chemicals that impact our daily lives. Among them, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has stood out for its exceptional sensitivity and reliability.
'SERS works by amplifying the molecular fingerprint signals of chemicals, allowing for precise identification even at extremely low concentrations,' it said.
Now the CeNS researchers have developed an innovative multi-layer nanomaterial combining reduced graphene oxide (rGO), silver nanoparticles (Ag), and cerium oxide (CeO₂) on a glass substrate.
The department said that each layer contributes a specific function, and the CeNS team fabricated the composite material using physical vapour deposition techniques, resulting in a uniform and scalable sensing platform.
'While silver nanoparticles are excellent at amplifying Raman signals, they are highly prone to oxidation, especially in humid or warm conditions—reducing their effectiveness over time. The coating of a thin layer of cerium oxide brings two key advantages. It enhances charge transfer between the material and the analyte, further boosting the fingerprint Raman signal of the analyte molecule and also acts as a protective barrier, shielding silver from humidity and temperature-induced degradation and ensuring long-term stability,' the department said.
Environmental chamber tests revealed that the substrate maintained its high performance even under extreme conditions—90% humidity and 70 °Celsius—proving its exceptional stability and reliability.
'Meanwhile, the rGO layer plays a crucial role, effectively quenching the overwhelming fluorescence emitted by silver nanoparticles, which would otherwise drown out the distinct Raman fingerprints of the analyte. This clever suppression ensures that the true detection signals shine through with clarity and precision,' it added.
The researchers demonstrated the material's high performance using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) as a model analyte, achieving a detection limit as low as 10 nM.
'More impressively, the substrate demonstrated the ability to detect a wide range of explosives, including TNT and RDX, at nanomolar concentrations, highlighting its broad potential for trace-level contaminant detection,' the department said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Gujarat approves action plan for Artificial Intelligence implementation in governance
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the Action Plan for Implementation of Artificial Intelligence [AI] (2025–2030), setting the stage for the integration of AI into Gujarat's governance framework over the next five years. The plan aims to improve service delivery, strengthen administrative processes, and apply AI tools in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance. This move aligns with the broader goals of Viksit Gujarat@2047 and the national mission of Viksit Bharat@2047, officials said. Prepared by the Department of Science and Technology based on recommendations from a 10-member AI Taskforce Committee, the plan will serve as a roadmap to equip government departments with AI systems and capabilities. It also supports the Centre's broader objective, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to expand the use of artificial intelligence in public policy, administration, and digital infrastructure. The State's action plan focuses on six major areas: building a secure and regulation-compliant data ecosystem; expanding GPU and cloud-based digital infrastructure, including setting up AI factories in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities; training 2.5 lakh individuals—students, MSMEs, and government officials—in AI, machine learning, and related technologies; promoting research and partnerships between academia and industry for building practical government-use AI models; supporting DeepTech startups with incubation, mentorship, and funding; and ensuring safe and responsible AI through audit systems, guidelines, and risk protocols. Implementation will be carried out in phases, starting with the creation of a State-level AI data repository, setting up AI development facilities, and launching pilot projects in selected departments. To oversee the entire effort, the Government will establish a dedicated AI and Deep Tech Mission. This institutional mechanism will lead the design, planning, and monitoring of AI projects while facilitating collaboration between academic institutions, industry players, and startups. Gujarat has already taken steps to strengthen its AI foundation, including the launch of an AI Centre of Excellence at GIFT City, the organisation of AI training programmes for public officials, and the issuance of an Expression of Interest for developing Indian language-based AI models. The state has also conducted an AI Innovation Challenge to encourage practical solutions.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru researchers develop durable sensor to detect explosives
Bengaluru: A team of researchers from the city has developed a sensitive and durable sensor that can detect explosives such as TNT and RDX at trace levels, offering new possibilities for real-world use in security and pollution monitoring. As per the department of science and technology (DST), the innovation — based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) — overcomes long-standing limitations in the field by improving both sensitivity and long-term stability. The breakthrough was achieved by Jil Rose Perutil, S Prashanth, Channabasaveshwar V Yelamaggad, Pavan Nukala, and Neena S John from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of DST. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "The team engineered a multilayer nanomaterial combining reduced graphene oxide (rGO), silver nanoparticles, and cerium oxide on a glass substrate — each layer serving a distinct role in improving performance," DST said. Silver, though excellent at amplifying molecular "fingerprint" signals essential for SERS, tends to degrade in humid or warm environments. A protective coating of cerium oxide solves this by shielding the silver layer from environmental wear while enhancing charge transfer, further boosting signal clarity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo The rGO layer, meanwhile, suppresses unwanted background fluorescence from silver, allowing the actual detection signal to stand out. "The researchers demonstrated the system's high sensitivity using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid as a model analyte and achieved detection limits as low as 10 nanomolar. More significantly, the same platform could detect explosives like TNT and RDX at similar nanomolar levels," DST said. Tests in environmental chambers confirmed that the sensor maintained high performance even in extreme conditions — 90% humidity and 7 °C — showcasing its potential for rugged, field-ready deployment. "Developed using a physical vapour deposition technique, the sensor's fabrication process is uniform and scalable, suggesting commercial promise. With its combination of durability, simplicity, and precision, the team says the platform could be used in airport screening systems, defence applications, or even environmental monitoring where detecting trace contaminants rapidly is critical," DST added.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Research On Origins Of Life On Earth, Mars May Pick Up Steam From Ladakh's Hot Springs
Last Updated: A team of Indian scientists has made a pivotal observation linking Puga Valley's unique geothermal activity to the chemistry of early life In the stark, icy high-altitude environment of Ladakh, a natural hot spring located in the Puga Valley is facilitating potentially groundbreaking scientific discoveries. These discoveries could significantly alter our understanding of life's origins on Earth and help in detecting biosignatures on other planets like Mars. A team of Indian scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has made a pivotal observation linking the valley's unique geothermal activity to the chemistry of early life. Traditional theories regarding the origin of life on Earth often focus on silica-based environments. However, the Indian team, led by Dr Amritpal Singh Chaddha, Dr Sunil Kumar Shukla, and Dr Anupam Sharma, has shifted focus to the role of carbonates, especially calcium. They noted rapid carbonate precipitation in the Puga Valley's extreme hot spring environment. Their interdisciplinary study, published in the prestigious journal ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, presents empirical evidence that natural travertine (calcium carbonate deposits) from the Puga Hot Spring can trap and preserve prebiotic organic molecules. The scientists analysed the high-altitude hot spring travertine using advanced techniques such as microscopy, GC-MS-MS, Raman, XRD, IR, and stable isotope geochemistry. They discovered preserved amino acid derivatives, formamide, sulphur compounds, and fatty acids encapsulated within calcite. These findings are crucial because they suggest that calcium carbonate acted as a 'potential natural template for origin-of-life chemistry under extreme Earth-like conditions", effectively concentrating and stabilising organic precursors essential for life. The extreme environment of Puga Valley, with its unique geothermal activity and high UV radiation, is hypothesised to have acted as a real-world 'prebiotic reactor and preservation site". This provides tangible, real-world evidence for phenomena previously explored only in laboratory settings. The insights gained from Puga are not limited to Earth's early history; they have significant implications for astrobiology. Conditions in Puga are thought to be similar to those on early Mars, where comparable hot springs and hydrothermal systems might have supported nascent life. This research, conducted under BSIP's newly formed Earth and Planetary Exploration Group (EPEG), will significantly aid future planetary exploration missions, including those by ISRO, in identifying true biosignatures. By enhancing the understanding of natural biomolecule preservation mechanisms, it also influences the development of new materials and life-detection technologies crucial for astrobiology and synthetic biology, potentially rewriting the playbook for the search for extraterrestrial life. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
