Found a new way of turning your smartphone into a microscope

Scientists in Australia have developed a simple and inexpensive way to turn a smartphone into a microscope with high resolution. This discovery, in their opinion, can stimulate the development of science and medicine in developing countries.

In a study published Thursday in the journal Biomedical Optics Express, the authors propose a flexible method for manufacturing the lens based on a transparent elastomer polydimethylsiloxane drops (polydimethylsiloxane - PDMS).


Technique that was developed by Dr. Steve Lee from the Australian National University (ANU, Australian National University - ANU), can be used in the development of lenses for a variety of tasks, including tools that can detect diseases or equipment for teaching students.

Lenses created by placing droplets of liquid polymer on a special substrate. He and his colleagues inverted drop so that gravity would help achieve the ideal curvature. Researchers have found that they can achieve a magnifying power of 160 times successively adding a small amount of fluid in the drop.

" This is a whole new era of miniaturization and mobility - software for image analysis can instantly turn most smart phones into sophisticated mobile laboratory. I see the huge potential of this technology in medical practice , although I'm sure experts in other fields will also find use our discovery , "- says Dr. Fan , co-author of the Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.
Dr. Lee also notes that the tool can be released in the next few months , can be used by farmers to identify pests in their crops, or biologists who can use it as an implantable lenses for the analysis of cells in vivo. Currently lens based on the new technology can be made about the size of half a centimeter in diameter, and they will cost only about $ 2 , while the cost of conventional tools can be up to $ 500 or more.