Applications of Raman-based techniques to on-site and in-vivo analysis

Raman-based technologies have proved to be excellent tools for on-site and in-vivo analysis, due to the non-invasive nature of their detection, their capability of providing structure information, their high tolerance to aqueous samples, the ultra-sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and resonance Raman scattering (RRS), the high spatial resolution of tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS), and the ultrashort spectra-acquisition time for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). In this review, we highlight the recent success of Raman-based technologies in various applications, including: on-site surface analysis and chemical-reaction monitoring; on-site identification of cultural objects, archeological studies and planetary science; in-vivo analysis of cells and microorganisms; in-vivo diagnosis inside human and animal bodies; in-vivo fast Raman imaging and mapping; the study of SERS processes; and, assessment of nanomaterial safety.