The surface analysis center houses a state-of-the-art Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) instrument. The lab has a Yvon Jobin LabRam ARAMIS, which is available for use by students and post-docs after training. Both solid and liquid samples can be characterized. Glass slides are provided to hold the solid samples. The liquid samples such as molecules, functionalized nanoparticles that are suspended in a buffer solution, can be stored in a test tube or a pipet. The instrument is also capable of x, y and z mapping along with depth profiling.