Grant: Special Research Opportunity Program - Inter-American Collaboration in Materials Research

This proposal presents a unique opportunity for a multi-lateral inter-American collaboration on the fabrication, characterization and application of novel plasmonic materials for enhanced spectroscopy. The field of plasmonics is related to the manipulation of surface plasmons (SPs) waves by nanostructured metals. SPs waves and localized surface plasmons have been recognized as the main contribution to surface-enhanced spectroscopic methods, such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEFS). In analytical chemistry, surface-enhanced spectroscopic methods provide an alternative for label-free detection of minute amounts of adsorbed species. The surface-enhanced methods are then a promising alternative for the detection of biological materials, as required for disease diagnostic and screening. In this proposal, we will team up with excellent groups from South America that can provide complementary expertise to the project that will be developed in Canada. This project will lead to a high degree of exchange of senior scientists and students between the participant countries. These exchanges will expose researchers to different scientific cultures and, more importantly, will allow direct transfer of know-how and expertise among the participants.