3D printer technology and glass beads - a powerful combination
Researchers look at simulated anthrax spores through a 1000x microscope created on a 3D printer that attaches to a cell phone.
An inexpensive 3D-printed microscope attached to a cell phone shows the epidermis of an onion magnified 350 times.
A cell phone equipped with this small 3D-printed microscope clip can show and send magnified images. The size of an inexpensive glass bead lens determines the magnification - 100x, 350x or 1000x.
one of one
RICHLAND, Wash. - At one o'clock in the morning, layers of warm plastic are deposited on the platform of the 3D printer that sits on scientist Rebecca Erikson's desk. A small plastic housing, designed to fit over the end of a cell phone, begins to take shape. Pulling it from the printer, Erikson quickly pops in a tiny glass bead and checks the magnification.
In the space of about ten minutes, Erikson, who works for the D.O.E.'s Pacific Northwest National Lab, has developed exactly what her colleagues asked for - a sleek, simple and inexpensive way to turn a cell phone into a high powered, high quality microscope that can be used to identify biological samples in the field.
Using glass spheres as a microscope lens is not a new idea, optically, but the small size of the housing combined with very high magnification and extremely low cost is what makes this device practical.
"We believe it can fill a need for professional 1st responders, and also for teachers and students in the classroom, health workers and anyone who just wants an inexpensive microscope readily available," said Erikson an applied physicist.
There are a few other devices that use a variety of approaches to leverage a cell phone camera into a microscope, but many are bulky, expensive, hard to align, or are lower powered. The PNNL team developed an inexpensive version that can magnify a sample by 1000 times. For specific applications, lower magnifications are easily achievable.
The microscope slips over the camera lens of the cell phone and is no thicker than a phone case. It's designed to fit several popular cell phone brands and tablets. The material cost, not including the printer, is under $1.
Can identify "suspicious powder" threats
Low cost was a driver in the development. The microscope needed to be so cheap it could literally be thrown away - if it gets contaminated. As part of PNNL's national security programs, Erikson's colleagues were working on an internally funded research and development plan targeting a specific Department of Homeland Security need for rapid bio detection technologies.
"We interviewed a lot of 1st responders, public health labs and civil support teams," said biochemist Cheryl Baird. "They told us the 1st thing they do when a suspicious powder sample gets to the lab, is to put it under the microscope. An inexpensive, yet powerful microscope in the field could be used to quickly determine whether the material is a threat or a hoax. Combine the microscope with the picture sharing capability of a smart phone and now practically anyone can evaluate a sample at the source and have a trained microbiologist located in a lab elsewhere interpret the results within minutes."
The sample must 1st be put into a slide for viewing. If the sample turns out to be a toxic biological material, or the responder is looking at a blood sample, the slip-on microscope can be disposed of and the cell phone fitted with a new microscope for additional work.
Using inexpensive glass beads traditionally used for reflective pavement markings at airports, the PNNL team has demonstrated 1000x magnification, which is necessary to see tiny pathogens. They have also made a 350x version, which is adequate to identify parasites in a blood samples or protozoa in drinking water. A 100x version enables children to investigate common items like salt grains and flower petals in much greater detail.
"We feel there are many uses out there including human and veterinary medicine in developing countries," said Janine Hutchison a microbiologist at PNNL. "We are also excited about engaging kids in science. School districts have a hard time providing enough microscopes for students. Our science education staff is actively engaged in getting it into the hands of local school children this fall."
This plan was developed with internal discretionary funds that advance early stage ideas to enhance PNNL's core scientific and technical disciplines.
"We have a strong optics capability at PNNL," said Baird. "Combined with our national security work, we project to continue to develop tools that will help protect our nation and assist those on the front lines."
Interdisciplinary teams at Pacific Northwest National Lab address many of America's most pressing issues in energy, the environment and national security through advances in basic and applied science. Founded in 1965, PNNL employs 4,300 staff and has an yearly budget of about $950 million. It is managed by Battelle for the D.O.E.'s Office of Science. As the single biggest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information on PNNL, visit the PNNL News Center, or follow PNNL on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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