Spectral sensing at a glance.

A metasurface-based biosensing strategy enables label-free detection of biomarkers in a handheld format without a spectrometer.

• Why it matters: This approach addresses the need for portable, easy-to-use diagnostic tools that can provide rapid and accurate biomarker detection outside traditional laboratory settings.
• What they did: H. Kim et al. varied a metasurface’s geometry continuously across a chip and used camera images to read signals, eliminating the need for spectrometers.
• The result: This method allows for simplified, portable biosensing that could facilitate point-of-care diagnostics and expand access to disease detection.