The foldscope is a paper microscope project designed to make quality microscopy portable and affordable. The bulk of the microscope is an origami-style paper assembly with sliders for manipulating the x, y, and z axes. The small lens can be affixed to a cellphone camera for easy imaging.
Foldscopes are useful anywhere lightweight, durable, and inexpensive scientific equipment is sought. They are used with paper centrifuges for low cost malaria detection, and in homes and schools to excite an interest in science on a budget.
Our Foldscopes were easy to assemble with the provided instructions. We magnified a microscope slide and took a cell phone camera image while holding the slide up to a light.
The slide and lens were both somewhat dusty, and we could possibly have improved the focus with more careful adjustment. We decided, however, that this image would suffice as a proof of concept. Later, we built a temporary stand from Legos. The added stability improved overall image quality.
More information is available on the Foldscope website
And YouTube:
Manu Prakash: A 50-cent microscope that folds like origami
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