Mobile Microscope

I have been developing this for quite some time now and I feel this is the right platform to share my design with the world. I am also very proud to share that this ‘Mobile Microscope’ was shortlisted as one of the ‘Top 6 entries from United Kingdom’ for the James Dyson Award 2023. Unfortunately it did not win, but it was a good validating platform for my design.
The video was shot and also validated by researchers and scientists at the University of Plymouth, UK.

The invention of the microscope has opened up a whole new dimension in science. But not all people have the access to a Microscope. In an era where all the fields are growing at such an enormous rate, there are still many who don't get basic education.

This is my attempt to create an ultra low cost 3D printed microscope which can be attached to any smartphone. It uses the phone's default camera app and no special app is needed (yet). The better the phone camera, the better the outcome.

Material : PLA / PETG
Layer Height : 0.2mm
Walls / Perimeter : 4
Supports : NO

The design is very simple and intuitive, although it took a lot of prototyping to reach to a stage where most of the problems are eliminated and is easy to use.

The final (current) design consists of 7 3D printed parts, one rubber band and one small lens.

The main element of this whole model is the lens. I have currently used the ‘Front Lens Assembly’ of the objective lens of the microscope. I am trying to find manufacturers to who can manufacture a similar lens to me as per my requirements so that it would be cheaper for everyone to order just the lens from me and 3D print the microscope for themselves. Any and all help is appreciated in finding a good manufacturer.  You can use any of these ‘Front Lens Assembly’, the higher the magnification, better the result.

Alternatively, a version with the foldscope lens is also being tested. Will update the files once it's done!

Comparison of the Academic Microscope Vs Mobile Microscope

Comparison of the slides under the Academic Microscope Vs Mobile Microscope

*Frog blood under the academic microscope was viewed under a higher magnification, hence the difference in size.

Specimen : Onion Skin 
Device : Mobile Microscope

Specimen : Pine Stem cross section 
Device : Mobile Microscope

For more details, please click here - Mobile Microscope 
Feel free to reach out if you would like to collaborate and take this to a bigger level.
Thank You