Table 1.
Optical components incorporated in the Raman head with corresponding part numbers and key specifications.
Fig 1.
Raman head design and implementation.
A: Schematic diagram of the optical setup within the Raman head, illustrating the beam path and key optical components. B: 3D mechanical design showing the custom-printed parts used to mount and align the optics. C: Photograph of the fully assembled Raman head after 3D printing and integration of all optical elements.
Fig 2.
Workflow of the high-throughput Raman screening.
Flowchart illustrating the sequence of sample geometry characterization, generation of motion instructions (G-code) and acquisition schedules, and the final execution of sequential scanning and signal acquisition.
Fig 3.
Evaluation of the positioning error in Z direction and XY.
A: 3D design of 10 columns with heights ranging from 0.5 cm to 5 cm for z positioning error evaluation. B: 3D model of a 44 grid structure featuring hemispherical features located at each intersection point for xy positioning error evaluation. C: Raman spectra collected from the top of the 10 columns at four scanning speeds (1, 21, 41, and 61 mm/s), with shaded regions indicating potential signal loss due to positioning error. D: Raman spectra acquired at the 16 grid intersection points under the same four scanning speeds, with shaded regions representing signal variations attributed to positioning error.
Fig 4.
Microplate background Raman evaluation.
A: 3D design of the mounting frame featuring alignment features to secure the microplate and openings for metal inserts to ensure attachment to the build plate. B: Photograph of the 3D-printed frame mounted on the build platform, demonstrating proper positioning and stabilization of a standard microplate. C: Comparison of background Raman spectra from empty clear and black microplates. D: Comparison of background Raman spectra from clear and black microplates when filled with water.
Fig 5.
Black microplate cross-talk evaluation with ethanol sample.
A: Nine Raman spectra collected from a 33 arrangement of microplate wells, where the central well (well 0) contains ethanol and the surrounding wells are filled with water. The inset highlights the spectral region near 880 cm−1, revealing the ethanol-associated peak and demonstrating negligible ethanol signal into adjacent wells. B: The signal-to-noise ratio calculated at the major ethanol peaks (880, 1050, 1090, 1280, and 1455 cm−1) for the sample in the central well.
Fig 6.
Ethanol concentration calibration.
A: Raman spectra of ethanol solutions at concentrations ranging from 200 mM to 2400 mM. B: Calibration curve showing the intensity of the 880 cm−1 Raman peak as a function of ethanol concentration, fitted with a linear regression model. Error bars represent the standard deviation of repeated measurements at each concentration.
Table 2.
Time breakdown for the automated screening of a 96-well microplate.
Table summarizes the key parameters for the microplate sceening, including acquisition and margin time in seconds at each well, and stage travel time and range.
Fig 7.
Microfuge tube holder design and Raman calibration for methanol quantification.
A: 3D model of the custom-designed microfuge tube holder. B: Photograph of the 3D-printed holder mounted on the build plate, securely positioning a microfuge tube. C: Raman spectra of methanol–water solutions at concentrations ranging from 10% to 100% (v/v). D: Calibration curve of the 1450 cm−1 Raman peak intensity versus methanol concentration, fitted with a linear regression model. Error bars denote the standard deviation from repeated measurements.
Table 3.
Time breakdown for the screening of the microfuge tubes.
Table summarizes the essential parameters for the screening of microfuge tubes array. These parameters are the acquisition and margin time at each sample in seconds, and the stage travel time and range.
Fig 8.
Raman measurements of eggs positioned on the RamanBot platform.
A: Photograph of 3x2 eggs positioned in their carton and mounted on the RamanBot build plate. B: Raman spectra collected from each of the six eggs under the same measurement conditions.
Table 4.
Time breakdown for the automated screening of the eggshells.
Table summarizes the parameters used for the screening of 3x2 eggs. These parameters are the acquisition and margin time at each egg in seconds, and the overall travel time and range of the entire process.