A 3D Printed Microscope for Your iPhone for Pennies

Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington have developed a 3D printed microscope housing for various mobile devices that costs pennies. Combined with an easily available glass bead, the device can offer up to 1,000x magnification.  The result is a cheap, digital microscope that can be used in the field to photograph and transmit images of biological samples and get results in minutes. If contaminated, the device is so cheap, it can be thrown away and a new one substituted. "We believe it can fill a need for professional first responders, and also for teachers and students in the classroom, health workers and anyone who just wants an inexpensive microscope readily available," said Rebecca Erikson an applied physicist at PNNL. The laboratory has made the 3D printer specifications available for free, and the video notes, "We've found that the iPhone 5 provides a more optimal picture."

Check It Out: A 3D Printed Microscope for Your iPhone for Pennies