Plasmon resonance imaging apparatus having nano-lycurgus-cup arrays and methods of use

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an array layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of nanoholes are defined in the top surface of the array layer, wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have at least one sidewall surface and a bottom surface;

a thin metal film disposed on the top surface of the array layer and on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanoholes; and

a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the at least one sidewall surface of the plurality of nanoholes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have frustoconical shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are arranged in a discontinuous manner.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprise metal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the thin metal film and the plurality of nanoparticles comprise gold, silver, aluminum, copper, platinum or alloys thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a substrate layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the array layer is disposed on the top surface of the substrate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light source.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the light source comprises an LED screen or one or more point LEDs.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a microfluidic device disposed on the top surface of the array layer.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises a plurality of channels defined in a base, wherein the plurality of channels each have an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, wherein the base is transparent or translucent.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the array layer is transparent or translucent.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a computing device having a camera.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the computing device comprises a mobile phone.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises (i) an array layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of nanoholes are defined in the top surface of the array layer, wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have at least one sidewall surface and a bottom surface, (ii) a thin metal film disposed on the top surface of the array layer and on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanoholes and (iii) a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the at least one sidewall surface of the plurality of nanoholes;

a light source having a light emitting surface;

a computing device having a camera;

a housing having a first end and a second end and having at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end of the housing, wherein the at least one sidewall defines a chamber, wherein the at least one sidewall is opaque, wherein the at least one sidewall defines a slot at a location between the first and second ends of the housing, wherein the slot is configured to permit ingress and egress of the sensor within the chamber, wherein the first end of the housing may be coupled to a base, wherein the light emitting surface of the light source is arranged within or beneath the base, wherein the base is configured to permit light from the light emitting surface to reach a bottom surface of the sensor, wherein the second end of the housing is configured to receive the computing device and position the camera in line with a top surface of the sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the sensor further comprises a microfluidic device disposed on the top surface of the array layer.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a plate defining a plurality of wells; and

a plurality of sensors each disposed within one of the plurality of wells, wherein each sensor comprises (i) an array layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of nanoholes are defined in the top surface of the array layer, wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have at least one sidewall surface and a bottom surface, (ii) a thin metal film disposed on the top surface of the array layer and on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanoholes and (iii) a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the at least one sidewall surface of the plurality of nanoholes.

17. A method of detecting at least one target analyte, comprising:

providing at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises (i) an array layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of nanoholes are defined in the top surface of the array layer, wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have at least one sidewall surface and a bottom surface, (ii) a thin metal film disposed on the top surface of the array layer and on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanoholes and (iii) a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the at least one sidewall surface of the plurality of nanoholes;

receiving, by the sensor, at least one target analyte adjacent to a top surface of the sensor;

receiving, by the sensor, a broadband light transmission;

in response to receiving a broadband light transmission, the sensor transmitting or reflecting a specific wavelength of light, wherein the specific wavelength of light is a function of a refractive index of the at least one target analyte; and

causing, by the sensor, a shift in the specific wavelength of transmitted or reflected light, wherein the at least one target analyte is detected.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

measuring the shift in the specific wavelength of light.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

binding of the at least one target analyte to the thin metal film of the sensor.

20. A method of analysis of an image of a sensor, comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, a message providing instructions to capture an image of a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises (i) an array layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of nanoholes are defined in the top surface of the array layer, wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have at least one sidewall surface and a bottom surface, (ii) a thin metal film disposed on the top surface of the array layer and on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanoholes and (iii) a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the at least one sidewall surface of the plurality of nanoholes;

capturing, by the computing device, an image of the sensor that is transmitting or reflecting light;

receiving, by the computing device, a message indicating the concentration of a target analyte that is disposed on a top surface of the sensor;

analyzing, by the computing device, the image of the sensor;

receiving, by the computing device, a message requesting that analytical data for the image of the sensor be displayed; and

displaying, by the computing device, the results of the analysis.