Automatic molecular collection and detection by using fuel-powered microengines

Nanoscale. 2016 Apr 28;8(17):9141-5. doi: 10.1039/c6nr00117c.

Abstract

We design and fabricate a simple self-powered system to collect analyte molecules in fluids for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. The system is based on catalytic Au/SiO/Ti/Ag-layered microengines by employing rolled-up nanotechnology. Pronounced SERS signals are observed on microengines with more carrier molecules compared with the same structure without automatic motions.