Phone-microscopes to transform research

SYDNEY — A simple new device that can turn a mobile phone into a research-grade microscope could have the potential to revolutionize the way scientific research is done in some parts of the world. Capable of visualizing microscopic organisms 1/200th the size of a millimeter, the cutting-edge “clipon” device would also be 3-D printable, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology announced on Feb 20.

“This could have huge potential for research in impoverished or remote places because now you can do very simple diagnostics on site and you won’t have to lug around a huge microscope with you,” says Antony Orth, a research fellow for RMIT’s Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics.

“Their use in these areas can be essential for determining water quality for drinking, through to analyzing blood samples for parasites, or for disease diagnosis including malaria.

“Our mission was to put this technology into as many hands as possible, so we wanted to make it open-source so that everyone has access to it.”

Although many attempts to turn mobile phones into microscopes have been successful, other approaches require a substantial amount of hardware including an external light and battery.

But the clip-on works by utilizing the flash of the camera already built into the phone, making the device much easier to use.

But while the design may hold vast possibilities for scientific researchers and university academics, Orth says the real potential of the device could lie with amateurs and enthusiasts.

“For example, a class of school children could go down to their local pond and discover micro-organisms.”