digital diffraction diagnosis or d3 could be used to detect cancerous cells in blood or tissue samples and even detect infections from hiv and ebola .
technique uses microscopic beads that bind to diseased cells in samples .
these clumps of beads change how light is scattered through the sample and can be detected using the camera on a smartphone like an iphone .
results from the £ 1.20 -lrb- $ 1.80 -rrb- test are received under 45 minutes and scientists it could allow people to test for cancer in their own homes .