Cambridge Researchers Develop $10 Optical Sensor for Wearable Lab‑Like Diagnostics

Cambridge scientists have engineered a $10 optical sensor that fits on a wrist and matches laboratory precision. In laboratory tests the device identified foods, plastics, and medicines with 100 % accuracy. It also monitored blood glucose, alcohol, and other health markers without invasive sampling. The sensor’s compact size and low cost suggest it could bring full‑lab diagnostics to everyday wearables, enabling users to track a range of health indicators at home and reducing the need for clinic visits. The technology demonstrates that high‑accuracy, non‑invasive testing can be achieved in a consumer‑grade device, potentially transforming routine health monitoring and early disease detection.