Archive

DIY microscopy instructions

Introduction
close_up_DIY_microscopy

Simple Instruction
Step 1: Getting prepared...
simple_microscope_step1_getting_started

Step 2: Play with the lens!
simple_microscope_step2_repositioning_lens

Step 3: Screw the lens, flip the lens, look at a pixel
simple_microscope_step3_flipping_lens

Step 4: Build a practical and nice setup
simple_microscope_step4_simple_setups

Videos
Tardigrade couple recorded with 1.3 Megapixel webcam from TW, 20$

Tardigrade recorded with cheap 0.3 Megapixel webcam from TW, 5$

Blepharisma at highest magnification with cheap 0.3 Megapixel webcam from TW, 5$

Other models and setups
Step 1: Hack the webcam and unsrew the lens
DIY_microscopy_other_setup_part1

Step 2: Remount the lens with an opaque-black tube and build a setup
DIY_microscopy_other_setup_part2

1.3mpx_cam_middle_lens_6.1px_0.84mm

Examples of Resolution
HTC HERO, 3,2-Zoll TFT-LCD Touchscreen mit HVGA-Auflösung (320 x 480)
3.2 inch = 81.28 mm
45mm / 320px = 140 micron

field_of_view_calculations_cheapcam

diy_microscopy_contrastmodes_side

Human leukocyte cells (nucleus stain of chromosomes), effects of chromatic aberation
DNA_stain_cell_nuclei

Fluorescent microbeads, diameter 1.8 micrometer
microbeads_fluorescence_colors

Fun Experiments

Beads of Thermoplastic Polymer from Struers, diameter approx 20-50 micron.

dusjagr_in_microbead

Looking at stuff, tardigrades, butterflies and amoebae...

webcam_micro_images_new

experiments on DIY nano microscopy

microbeads_fluorescence_colors

First SGMK Dockbot

Dockbot_blackboard_bioelectronix

More experiments with lasers...

laser_experimente_all_web I did some more experiments with lasers the last few days. lasers rock! during the Dynamic Days at Dynamo, Markus has been playing around with some kids and lasers, they are loving it.

Laser microscope viewing a tardigrade from dusjagr on Vimeo.

In addition I was continuing to experiment with the laser micro-projections... By combining a 50mW greenlaser with a lens of webcam i made a ultra simple microscopic projection unit. above the lense i place a sample of tardigrades which cast a projected shadow onto the screen. although there is a large amount of scattering and diffraction, the motion and shape of the tardigrade can clearly be detected. more on hackteria.org.

and I found a cool supplier of "Golden" lasers in china. I bloody need one....

DIY nanoparticle detection

Fluorescent_nano_microscopeI just tried to get some experience using the DIY microscope to detect fluorescence and nanoparticles. A friend of mine gave me some polymer-based hollow nanoparticles, designed for drug-delivery, dispersible in water and containing fluorescent dies. The fluorescence seems to be easily detectable even by eye when illuminated with an UV-LED. I guess I need to build a dark box around the microscope to test it more in detail or maybe only work at nights....

DIY microscopy instruction is on the way...

P1000863