Handheld biomarker measuring device using nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide substrate and application of same

1. A handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting a biomarker in a sample collected from a subject, the device comprising:

a laser generator configured to produce a laser beam;

a nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate configured to receive the sample collected from the subject; wherein the laser beam reaches the sample on the NAAO substrate and is scattered to produce a light signal; and

a light sensor configured to receive the light signal scattered from the sample;

wherein the laser generator, the NAAO substrate, and the light sensor are arranged on a base having a length less than 100 mm and a width less than 80 mm, such that

the device is handheld and detects the biomarker in the sample;

wherein the NAAO substrate comprises a multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer;

wherein the multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer comprises a base aluminum layer, and a nanoporous aluminum layer on top of the base aluminum layer;

wherein the NAAO substrate is a gold layered NAAO substrate having a gold layer;

wherein the gold layer comprises gold nanoparticles which are disposed on top of the NAAO substrate via a method of air-water-oil interfacial self-assembly;

wherein the nanoporous aluminum layer comprises a plurality of nanocavities.

2. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 further comprising a beam splitter located between the laser generator and the NAAO substrate.

3. The handheld SERS device according to claim 2 further comprising a bandpass filter located between the beam splitter and the light sensor;

wherein the bandpass filter selectively permits the light signal having certain wavelengths to pass through; and

wherein the certain wavelengths are adjustable.

4. The handheld SERS device according to claim 3 , wherein the beam splitter permits the passing of the laser beam produced by the laser generator on one of its two sides, and is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light signal scattered by the sample on the NAAO substrate on the other of its two sides.

5. The handheld SERS device according to claim 3 , wherein the certain wavelengths are selected for determining the biomarker in the sample.

6. The handheld SERS device according to claim 5 , wherein the light sensor is configured to receive the light signal that passes through the bandpass filter.

7. The handheld SERS device according to claim 2 further comprising a test strip holder; wherein the test strip holder is configured to receive a test strip comprising the NAAO substrate.

8. The handheld SERS device according to claim 7 further comprising a focusing lens; wherein the focusing lens is disposed between the test strip holder and the beam splitter.

9. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the gold nanoparticles are nanorods.

10. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the NAAO substrate has a high surface area to volume ratio.

11. The handheld SERS device according to claim 3 , wherein the device comprises a communication unit communicating with an interactive display for receiving an input and displaying an output; wherein the communication unit comprises a Wi-Fi unit.

12. The handheld SERS device according to claim 11 , wherein the input comprises the biomarker.

13. The handheld SERS device according to claim 12 , wherein the certain wavelengths are configured to be adjusted according to the biomarker.

14. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the biomarker comprises a biomarker of a dementia disease.

15. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the biomarker comprises a biomarker of a cancer.

16. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the biomarker comprises a biomarker of a heart disease.

17. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the biomarker comprises a biomarker of a neuromuscular disorder.

18. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the biomarker comprises a hormone or a steroid.

19. The handheld SERS device according to claim 1 , wherein the biomarker comprises a nutrient.

20. A handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting a biomarker in a sample collected from a subject, the device comprising:

a laser generator configured to produce a laser beam;

a nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate configured to receive the sample collected from the subject; wherein the laser beam reaches the sample on the NAAO substrate and is scattered to produce a light signal; and

a light sensor configured to receive the light signal scattered from the sample;

wherein the laser generator, the NAAO substrate, and the light sensor are arranged on a base having a length less than 100 mm and a width less than 80 mm, such that the device is handheld and detects the biomarker in the sample.

21. The handheld SERS device according to claim 20 , wherein the NAAO substrate comprises a multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer; wherein the multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer comprises a base aluminum layer, and a nanoporous aluminum layer on top of the base aluminum layer.

22. The handheld SERS device according to claim 21 , wherein the NAAO substrate is a gold layered NAAO substrate having a gold layer.

23. The handheld SERS device according to claim 22 , wherein the gold layer comprises gold nanoparticles which are disposed on top of the NAAO substrate via a method of air-water-oil interfacial self-assembly.

24. The handheld SERS device according to claim 21 , wherein the nanoporous aluminum layer comprises a plurality of nanocavities.