News Tech

A dim view of biologic and chemical agents

By Peter Weiss

- More than 2 years ago

A new type of sensor that uses tiny optical lenses may someday detect the first signs of disease or chemical contamination in blood or other liquids.

SWELL SENSOR. Gel-based optical microlenses such as the one in this artist’s depiction (top) swell when they’re triggered by specific compounds. Swelling changes the transmitted light from bright (bottom left) to dim (bottom right).