Plastic-based spectrometers offer low-cost, compact solution for broadband spectral imaging
A multinational research team, including engineers from the University of Cambridge and Zhejiang University, has developed a breakthrough in miniaturized spectrometer technology that could dramatically expand the accessibility and functionality of spectral imaging in everyday devices. The study, titled "Stress-engineered ultra-broadband spectrometer," published in the journal Science Advances, describes a novel, low-cost spectrometer platform built from programmable plastic materials rather than conventional glass. These innovative devices operate across the full visible and short-wave infrared (SWIR) range—spanning 400 to 1,600 nanometers—which opens up a wealth of possibilities for real-world applications.
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