One of my goals during my time with The Institute of Fundamental Sciences was to look at developing a simple, low cost tool that kids could use to see some of the really small stuff that I have had the immense pleasure of seeing through a range of extremely costly microscopy setups over the past 12 weeks. Over the past few weeks, I have spent a lot of time searching for answers to this and found a few old articles about experiments in low cost microscopy that seems to have fizzled out.
A couple of weeks ago, I spend a wonderful half day in the Manawatu Microscopy and Imaging Centre, where I was able to see a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope in action. The idea that the objective was being illuminated by a bombardment of electrons was mind-blowing to say the least. After my time there looking at lots of super tiny things, I asked the question "How can I get kids to investigate this stuff for themselves?" Without hesitation, the answer was Foldscope.
This was an absolute revelation to me. I had spent the previous couple of weeks scouring the internet to find what others had done in this space and not once had I seen this wonderful paper microscope mentioned. I ordered one immediately. $39.99 USD got me a deluxe kit. Here is my unboxing video.
The foldscope is capable of 2 micron resolution - sure that stuff will be tiny, but will be visible! Have a look at some shots I have taken with it already using the mobile phone connection tools.
This is one of the samples slide provided with the Foldscope. It is a fern rhizome. It was a good starting point to test it out.
This is the wing of a fly that I found deceased; trapped inside the web of a spider. You can clearly see the tiny hairs that cover the wing.
After seeing the creator, Manu, use the Foldscope and backside illuminating lamp on a whole leaf in a post on foldscope.com, I thought I would try it with the Pittosporum trees at my home. I'm sure I can see 2 different cell structures in there; one elongated, one more round in shape. I wonder what that tells me about the structure of the leaf?
My next set of experiments with the Foldscope will involve seeing if I can visualise pollen cells in a well slide to then see if I am able to observe Brownian Motion in action (the seemingly random movement of particles - proof that atoms exist!). I am also told that diluted milk could be interesting to look at so I will give that a try too.
I am absolutely blown away by what can be seen with such a super cheap piece of equipment. I can't wait to see what else I can find in the wild to look at :)
For more information on the Foldscope or to order your own, head to www.foldscope.com
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