Butterfly-inspired cancer detection: Unveiling the unseen

Researchers have developed an imaging sensor inspired by the visual system of butterflies, allowing it to "see" into the ultraviolet (UV) range. The sensor uses stacked photodiodes and perovskite nanocrystals to image different wavelengths in the UV spectrum. By leveraging the spectral signatures of biomedical markers, such as amino acids, the sensor can differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells with 99% confidence. This technology has potential applications in surgery to help surgeons determine clear margins when removing tumors and can also provide insights into the behavior of species that can see in the UV range.