Patent SK 289367 Accepted During PURPEST Strengthens SERS-Based Detection

Patent SK 289367 Accepted During PURPEST Strengthens SERS-Based Detection

Saftra Photonics achieved a major technological milestone during the PURPEST project: the acceptance of Slovak Patent SK 289367 B6. This innovative device is already being used within the project’s workflows.

Patent Title: “Device for positioning a sample in a portable Raman spectrometer, method of sample positioning, use of the device, and a portable Raman spectrometer containing the device.”

The device brings several key improvements:

• increases SERS measurement reproducibility,
• enables precise vertical and horizontal micro-movement of the sample using piezoelectric actuators,
• is compact enough for portable Raman spectrometers,
• supports the detection of very low concentrations (ppm–ppb) of environmental, agricultural, and biological analytes,
• is optimized specifically for PickMol nano-optical chips.

These innovation is crucial for achieving consistent detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including those used in PURPEST for early pest identification.

The improvements in measurement stability and reproducibility directly support:

• field-ready VOC detection,
• reliable use of PickMol chips in non-laboratory conditions,
• higher accuracy in early pest detection workflows.

This innovation strengthens the technological foundation of the PurPest project.