10,000 microscope project
#1 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 11 March 2014 - 12:21 PM
"Foldscope is an origami-based print-and-fold optical microscope that can be assembled from a flat sheet of paper. Although it costs less than a dollar in parts, it can provide over 2,000X magnification with sub-micron resolution (800nm), weighs less than two nickels (8.8 g), is small enough to fit in a pocket (70 × 20 × 2 mm3), requires no external power, and can survive being dropped from a 3-story building or stepped on by a person. Its minimalistic, scalable design is inherently application-specific instead of general-purpose gearing towards applications in global health, field based citizen science and K12-science education."
Here are examples of the images that can be captured. It can go up to 2,000x zoom:
http://www.foldscope.com/
What is the 10,000 microscope project?
"We intend to enlist 10,000 individuals who would be willing to beta-test Foldscope over the summer and develop single page science experiments, protocols, queries, questions, applications based on using Foldscope in a specific community. We aim to collectively write a crowd-sourced biology microscopy manual with examples collected from scientists, teachers, tinkerers, thinkers, hackers, kids and alike."
This sounds like a perfect project for NANFA members. Some of the example roles for individuals looking to sign up include:
"Nature lover - You often wonder what lies under the rocks and a leaf unturned.
Field trips - Collect samples from your neighborhoods to formulate questions that are context dependent and thus unique to your own environment."
#2 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 11 March 2014 - 02:14 PM
#3 Guest_gerald_*
Posted 13 March 2014 - 03:12 PM
#4 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 13 March 2014 - 05:42 PM
#5 Guest_gerald_*
Posted 14 March 2014 - 04:28 PM
How does folded paper magnify an image, without a lens? And how are the images saved?
#6 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 14 March 2014 - 05:34 PM
The components are printed onto the single sheet of paper the microscope is then folded out of.
Here is a video that explains.
http://youtu.be/h8cF5QPPmWU
#7 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 16 March 2014 - 12:48 PM
#8 Guest_gerald_*
Posted 16 March 2014 - 04:10 PM
#9 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 16 March 2014 - 06:17 PM
I think if an admin asked the 10,000 microscope project, they'd supply foldscopes for our convention. I'm just a member and don't quite have the sway, but if, say a formal letter went out with NANFA letterhead, I bet they'd give us a foldscope per member if we offered to do a writeup on our field usage of the foldscopes for their textbook.
#10 Guest_Irate Mormon_*
Posted 16 March 2014 - 11:44 PM
#11 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 17 March 2014 - 10:01 AM
#12 Guest_gerald_*
Posted 17 March 2014 - 10:50 AM
Keep in mind, this is a transmission scope, not a dissecting scope. It would be good for plankton and stuff, but not much help with Elassoma fry.
#13
Posted 17 March 2014 - 12:00 PM
Since we are talking basic education, I am often amazed just to see a close up of a scale or a fin... these might look very nice under the microscope as well... not sure that we can say something super scientific about a close up of a basic structure like that, but I think it does show a side to fish that people don't normally see.
#14 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 17 March 2014 - 08:04 PM
Figure1a.jpg 9.33KB 2 downloads
#15 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 14 April 2014 - 08:02 AM
It's like a page long so I'll summarize: They basically said a conditional yes, and please fill out this form so they'll know how many to send. How do we feel about two things:
1) Our ability to pay the shipping cost
Options:
My circumstances make it difficult to pay for shipping costs.
I am comfortable paying shipping costs using a secure online form with a major credit card.
I am comfortable paying shipping costs using a secure online form with a major credit card AND would be potentially interested in donating a small amount to helping others who cannot afford these costs.
2) The number of foldscopes we estimate we'll need at the convention.
How many groups are going out each day? We could send at least one foldscope out per group.
#16 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 23 May 2014 - 02:27 PM
"Thank you for your interest in Foldscope! You will hear from us in the next few months if your application is selected."
hmm. We might or might not have them in time for the convention. I'll personally mail them to you all if we don't. I did tell them on the form how we need them by June 5th, so it's still possible.
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