6/15/2023 0 Comments Smartscope fold microscopePrakash says there are Foldscopes in more than 140 countries today.Īnd it’s not just useful for science education. Prakash is particularly pushing Foldscope in developing countries, which might not have any scientific instruments for their students otherwise. A classroom kit of 20 costs $70, while a large classroom kit of 100 costs $350. Prakash says the company uses the proceeds from the high markup of individual Foldscopes to underwrite its classroom kits. He says he designed the Foldscope “to make the world a more curious place.”įoldscope’s online community, Microcosmos, is a meeting place for Foldscope novices and Foldscope veterans around the world to share tips, tricks, and hacks for the device, which is available at the Foldscope website for $39.99. As of October, the company had shipped 510,000, according to Prakash. Prakash and his former graduate student Jim Cybulski are the cofounders, and they’ve set a goal of distributing a million Foldscopes by the end of 2018. Foldscope is now backed by a startup company, Foldscope Instruments of Palo Alto, Calif. ![]() Prakash first conceived of Foldscope in 2011 while traveling in Thailand. This “Paperfuge” has applications in both field work and developing countries. ![]() Prakash is also the designer of a 20-cent whirligig biomedical centrifuge, made only of paper and string, that separates pure plasma from whole blood in under 1.5 minutes and separates malaria parasites in under 15 minutes. And instead of an eyepiece, you can use your smartphone’s camera, which can be magnetically docked to the Foldscope thanks to adhesive magnets. With such clever design hacks, the cost of the parts needed to make one Foldscope is now less than one U.S. Drawing inspiration from DNA-folding studies, space telescope design, and much more, Prakash says he’s able to achieve optical alignments in this folded-cardboard device of as little as 20 micrometers. The Foldscope uses origami to make a stable cardboard microscope body and precision-manufactured glass beads for a lens. Thanks to Manu Prakash, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford University, in California, there are now more than a half-million “Foldscopes” out in the world. At least its design hadn’t changed until a Stanford engineer started playing with innovative microscopy ideas in 2011. The basic tabletop microscope hasn’t changed much in fundamental design in nearly 100 years. Multi-Probe Capability: Use the optional laser or touch probe to access difficult-to-image or otherwise inaccessible features, to more fully characterise parts in a single setup.Mobile Microscope: The deluxe Foldscope kits includes a magnetic smartphone coupler, materials to make slides, and an LED light to illuminate samples.Large Measurement Volume: A value engineered large XY travel stage features robust bearing design and performance, for confident measurement for large parts.Optional screw-on lens attachments expand the magnification range. Superior Zoom Optics: A precise 6.5 to 1 automatic zoom lens keeps images in focus and on-axis throughout the zoom range.Automated Operation: Floor model SmartScope MVP systems are equipped with servo-driven motorised stages and Measure -X® metrology software for completely automated inspection and/or measurement.Standard models are equipped with a video sensor and have the option for additional sensors such as a Renishaw touch probe or Laser for added versatility. SmartScope MVP CMMs are available in bench top or floor standing format. ![]() SmartScope MVP delivers maximum performance for minimum investment. MVP provides multi-sensor metrology that will meet any general measurement application using the same advanced software and high-quality components as the rest of OGP’s world-leading metrology range, providing the best in-class performance making it a popular choice for manufacturers worldwide. The entry-level SmartScope MVP multi-sensor range maintains OGP’s uncompromisingly high standards by offering maximum performance in general measurement operations delivering optimal reliability and accuracy at an affordable price.
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