3D PRINTED CLIP TURNS YOUR SMARTPHONE INTO A HIGH-POWERED MICROSCOPE

PNNL Develop Simple But Effective Way to Turn A Smartphone into a Highly-Efficient Tool

For many scientists working in the field the thought of dragging around heavy and expensive equipment is simply unimaginable. Even the ever useful microscope may become a luxury they cannot afford. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National laboratory (PNNL) have come up with a practical solution for this very problem. While working on developing a portable tool for first responders to use when they come across potential threats, such as a suspicious white material, the team came up with a 3D printed clip that turns the camera on a smartphone into a high-powered and highly effective microscope. This microscope can be used to identify anthrax or other dangerous pathogens on the spot and in real time.

A cavity inside the clip keeps a glass bead aligned with phone’s camera. This bead provides the The varying size of the bead determines the strength of the magnification. So far, three different magnifications have been displayed 100x, 350x and 1000x. Parasites found in blood samples can be see using 350x, but at least 1000x is required to view tiny pathogens accurately. Using the clip with the iPhone 5 provides the optimal image, but the 3D printed part is capable of functioning on multiple smartphones and tablets.