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In a breakthrough that could reshape multiple industries, researchers at Aalto University in Finland have developed a miniature spectral sensor capable of identifying materials by analyzing their interactions with light. Unlike traditional systems, which are large and expensive, this new device is compact, cost-effective, and potentially capable of being integrated into consumer electronics like smartphones and wearables, according to a report by TechXplore.
Spectral sensing has been a game-changer in areas such as autonomous driving, military reconnaissance, chemical detection, and medical diagnostics. However, the technology has typically been limited to labs due to the bulky size and high costs of the equipment. The Finnish research team, led by Professor Zhipei Sun, has found a way to shrink this powerful tool down to a small, portable form. The sensor uses an advanced algorithm to recognize light signatures that are invisible to the human eye, providing precision similar to conventional, much larger sensors.
What makes this device stand out is its method of spectral differentiation. Instead of relying on traditional optical components like prisms or gratings, the new sensor uses electrical responses to light, which simplifies the design and allows it to be integrated into smaller devices. The sensor is “trained” through exposure to different light wavelengths, which helps it generate unique electrical signatures, or “fingerprints,” for various materials. It has already demonstrated the ability to identify various materials, including organic dyes, metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics, based on their luminescence, according to TechXplore.
The device is extremely small—just 5 micrometers by 5 micrometers—making it 200 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Despite its size, it can accurately identify light wavelengths with an impressive precision of around 0.2 nanometers, which allows it to distinguish thousands of colors.
The team behind this innovation hopes that in the near future, this miniature sensor could bring the power of advanced spectral analysis to everyday devices. From improving food safety checks to aiding autonomous vehicle navigation, this technology has the potential to make a significant impact on multiple fields by making advanced spectroscopy more accessible and portable.
The team’s research was published in the journal Science Advances
