Turn Your Smartphone Into a Digital Microscope!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

This is a fantastic tutorial, well done! I hope to see more of your work in the future! Keep up this level of quality and you'll do very well on KZbin.

[@michaelzheng3129]

NightHawkInLight oh hey!

[@j0000hdp92]

I did this 8 years ago . I tried to patent it but I was only 15. Great job I've been waiting for someone to do it also.. I use the laser pointer at wall mart checkouts has a led and laser diode. Yes adding another lens makes it 4 times as powerful. A third lens obscures it. Like he said u have to use it closer and def takes a steady hand if not stationary. I found using different back lights can give better detail. Also a front light and no back light can give you surface images. I got my best one up 2400× mag. I calculated it using the screen pixels. My theory was that with perfect high quality lenses and more mega pixels you could reach 100 x photon size do to the fact that the light is not inverted/crossed. Like a real microscope with mirrors and prisoms. I could see red blood cells at medical quality. Oh and if u use the defused laser diode without the lens it can be a projector microscope. Any ways enjoy .. Oh PS polish ur lens . and avoid touching it. And remove glass protector from camera module the closer u r to it the better . and use flat side of the lens facing the camera . adios

[@TopTributeBands-N-Stuff]

+jeriah pittington Now if I only understood one word you wrote but hey, thanks anyway.

[@apexprecitech]

Hi Jeria I have a Samsung smartphone - the neo note series 3. I could not get the magnification. I did all the cross checks you mentioned but results are discouraging. I tried the lenses bought in amazon too but to no avail. Will gladly appreciate any input.

[@sollinw]

Can you do a video about how to do it?

[@MrNight-dg1ug]

My microscope only goes as high as x1200

[@monabey5254]

try stalking maginfing glasses on top of one another

[@4DIYers]

To convert inches to metric, just multiple by 25.4. 3/4" x 25.4 = 19.05mm If you want to convert to cm, just go with 2.54.

[@crucialblue]

Congrats on the 2mil+ views, man! You've made something really awesome here, and the high quality video emphasizes the professional nature of this project.

[@jimlagermo514]

How do you know that the total magnification is 40x ond so on? How do you calculate the total magnification?

[@julesgirardprof.2869]

Take a picture of a ruler graduation, then measure its size on your picture. The ratio's the magnification.

[@DuBDuBois97]

It's for backlight which gives you the ability to look through things such as leaves so you can see the cells within. If you did it from the top the cells within the leaf would look blurry and fuzzy.

[@1123aka]

Brilliant. Now only if i could find a similar way to build a telescope..

[@男メロウ]

Did you build 1

[@kmyoshino]

Hi! Explained better in the actual instructable (see the link above) is the process of embedding the lens in the stage. Measure the diameter of your lens and start with a hole a little smaller than that. You can always go larger. I used a small file to make it a tight fit. Most cheap laser pointers are about the same size. Avoid the dual LED/LASER combination. The lens for the laser on that tends to be really small. Ideally the lens should be the size of the camera. Good luck!

[@AddisonReece]

I will be teaching soon! This is awesome! I could think of a number of ways to use this!! Great video! Keep them coming!

[@larwhelan]

I live in Ireland, we use the metric system, but there's room on a ruler for both metric and imperial, on 1 side we have cm divided into mm, and on the other we've Inches broken into either 16th's or 8th's, either is divisible by 4 to get a quarter inch

[@chuckcxr]

I tried using two lenses for extra magnification. It only gave me a very unclear image that I could not focus. I followed all instructions exactly, and used all the same parts. I noticed MANY other people are having this same problem and many more still are asking how to resolve it. Please can you tell us how you actually did it and got it to work? Because nobody else seems to be able to do so. I'm hoping to have 2 holes drilled side by side...one for one lens...and the other for stacked lenses. Giving the ease of choosing which magnification you want without any tweaking necessary.

[@daffavirwandy7694]

In phone. There's an app in Google play store. For camera zoom use it as your advantage

[@kmyoshino]

I am not sure which stains were used on some of the slides (elderberry, megaspore etc) but the red onion cells were not stained at all. The outer layer with the red pigment was used. The blueish color in most of the pictures were due to the LED light.

[@KirilZyapkov]

I love this! I own an optical microscope and a cheap digital one, but this build turned out better than both! I'd buy you a beer if you make a video about preparing specimens at home :)

[@kmyoshino]

Yes! Check the Instructable that is linked in the "about" section.

[@Zamsky39]

I wonder how could I use it with a dslr since they have much more distant minimum focus range and would require a bigger lens. Does anyone know the parameters of laser pointer lenses so I could find bigger lens with such properties?

[@bigarmydave]

If you find out let me know buddy!! :-)

[@Shoujiki1]

try with the cover of your dslr (the one you place instead of the lens), make a hole and install the lens..... as you can make a pinhole camera with a dslr, maybe you can make a microscope....(just an idea)

[@russdiddydog1]

A table saw will cut plexi fine. There is probably a blade specific to plastics but I have used multipurpose blades without any problems. Also a band saw could do it if it has a guide.

[@edgewaterz]

Why aren't ready-made kits already available on Amazon? I'd pay $20 easy since I don't have all these tools...

[@zirahvi]

I'd also happily pay $20 for a kit, as the parts cost easily around $50-$60 here in Norway :D

[@sarkarelectronicsports]

Man these kinda videos get easily viral around the globe, in this generation. All one need is a little curiosity..! It's worth it, man, good job..! :)

[@Kropikovo]

As awesome use of common sense as it gets!!! Thanx!

[@ammartamimi9864]

I have done this experiment with front camera lens, if you transfer a drop of water to the lens, make sure the drop forms a half sphere, then turn on the camera. Now you can focus on object one centimeter away from the lens.

[@pxlbltz]

Thanks, I think I will try this out.. but I also wonder when Americans will finally adopt the metric system. I need to look up what an inch is ;-)

[@MRC02888]

The only Americans who can use the metric system are the ones who buy and sell weed.

[@pxlbltz]

Matt Carter I didn't know that :D

[@NiccoleT]

we learn metric but we dont use it. I highly doubt america will adopt the metric system 100% though

[@pxlbltz]

theoatmeal.com/pl/senior_year/science ;-)

[@atheistpariah]

While I do agree that America should surely adopt the metric system, I will argue that we, in America, measure sodapop in Liters. The car engine intake measurement is also Liters. Some American cars have the speedometer markings for both miles *and* kilometers. America has _partially_ adopted the metric system. Who says we need to go all the way? And why is it so difficult to look up the measurement of an inch? Practically *everyone* has a smartphone, and has an app capable of computing conversions. Even some "dumbphones" have built-in conversion apps (despite the fact that "dumbphones" are becoming less common). It's not that difficult, at all.

[@sergiomayo5115]

I don't live in the US either and I can tell you that all rulers have centimeters and inches in them, so, in rulers inches are divided into 16 "parts", just like centimeters are dividen into 10 "parts", so just grab 4 out of those 16 parts and there you have one quarter of an inch (4/16 = 1/4)

[@anishlimbu8621]

Okay, though the video has been here on youtube for quite long time, I cannot expect someone to reply my question. However, I hope someone can help. Actually, I tried the same and almost accomplished the construction but unfortunately, the lens of the laser doesn't seem powerful enough to magnify as similar as shown in the video... Is it that I need more powerful lens or what could possibly go wrong? please help me

[@anishlimbu8621]

What do you mean?

[@_Ifarad_]

i think u need a glass with lens that magnifies

[@anishlimbu8621]

so, can you suggest me how and where can I find such powerful laser lens? cause I almost built it but the lens, at last, wasn't powerful enough. and thanks for the info. :)

[@anishlimbu8621]

emmanuel eulalio yeah, I had used the glass that magnifies for sure. I am not so dumb to use normal non-magnifying lens

[@anishlimbu8621]

***** so, can you suggest me how and where can I find such powerful laser lens? cause I almost built it but the lens, at last, wasn't powerful enough. and thanks for the info. :)

[@tcs3600]

Put a ruler on the specimen stage next to the sample. A cheap (thin plastic) transparent ruler could be cut to fit.

[@DWTC2]

1:37 starts the manufacturing

[@supermonkeykush]

You can also put a mirror at the base and use the phone's led instead of a separate light.

[@Tabak419]

It's scientific project, why do you use medieval measurement system in your explanations?

[@JosephWheeler14]

You sound pre-medieval yourself. Scientific pursuit isn't bound to the metric system.

[@lacaio2]

Joseph Wheeler i hate the imperial system but op is dun goofed

[@Tabak419]

Joseph Wheeler Yes it is: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_System_of_Units Measuring something in feet(fingers, dicks or whatever you savages got there) is barely scientific approach.

[@JosephWheeler14]

Tabak419​ That's funny, I don't see the metric system listed as a requirement for the scientific method anywhere I look. You intend to tell me Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin weren't scientists because they didn't use the metric system?

[@futhamucka]

Joseph Wheeler The SI standard for measurement of length is centimetres, however as a staunch imperialist I say fuck the metre, 3.3333333333333333333333333333333333333333 feet all the way!!!

[@peterboyce6320]

Yes. You want to hold the lens steady.

[@hammer2787]

sound???

[@yngwie66]

KZbin video's should have a volume control in the bottom left hand corner of the window or perhaps you can use your pc's volume control.

[@adryanvalhallatier5259]

oh great, now i need a smartphone...

[@darkseid3225]

+Adryan Valhallatier lmfao 20 bucks man + 10 for the hardware

[@antoniocimino3913]

What about now?

[@timontran2100]

Amazing. Hope they find a way to improve further the magnification.

[@ShinuRealArts]

I already have a microscope, but I'm so doing this!!

[@ahmedsir7969]

Most helpful yet easy microscope I found in youtube till now. Thank you.

[@iamthatis3587]

I'm more interested in the people who gave this video a thumbs down. Anti-science?

[@JaguarBST]

some men just want to see the world burn? XD

[@AcrobatMr]

Awesome awesome video. I just wished you would use scale bars instead of or atleast in addition to the magnification factor. My old supervisor was really really not happy with me when I used magnification factors...

[@yubbone]

I like how Google+ posts take viewing priority over ACTUAL COMMENTS for the video. And by "I like how", I mean fuck you google. On topic, it goes without saying that this video is awesome, great upload.

[@KimMoth]

This is a great idea. One suggestion though: wingnuts are only easier to use if you need to tighten them. Normal hex nuts would be easier to use in this application.

[@Zinchoman]

Can you observe amoebas with this?

[@IncogKneeGrow]

Just finished making mine and used a leaf from outside to check out, next thing i noticed was some sort of small bug running around, pretty awesome.

[@montanathreehunna]

ok step one, get a smart phone. :/

[@SeanLumly]

Amazing! This is so exciting, not only because of its accessibility, but also that it opens up a new set of capabilities due to inclusion of the smartphone. As demonstrated, it should be possible to take a time-lapse and see biology in motion. New apps should be able to take these capabilities farther, and mixed with robotics, it could yield novel and very interesting uses! Amazing!

[@joelsephiryn]

...but can you turn a microscope into an iPhone?

[@Diogenesthedog0]

Joelsephiryn Lol

[@warker6186]

lol

[@anamaslam5754]

Lol

[@samljer]

Steve jobs turned a pile a out dated parts into Mac, so im sure it can be done.

[@BananaxRama]

samljer wrong Steve, jobs didn’t build anything lol

[@spxza]

You will not see much cell detail if you don't stain, even with a microscope. Cells are mostly transparent, even if you can make out the cell structures. Looks like Coomassie Blue and Cresyl Violet were used in a few of these.

[@tiskolin]

Foldscope

[@fungusamongus8533]

Tichomír Dunlop what is foldscope, bro?

[@tiskolin]

google it

[@nenjahtodlr]

Okay, the LED light at the bottom provides the light source that is so common amoung microscopes. Without this light, your specimens would simply appear black or very dark. The glass does not magnify the image, the LASER focusing lens does. It uses the same technology that focuses your LASER pointer to focus the image of your specimens. Does that answer your questions?

[@danalee1000]

Thanks for posting this - public and high schools can have so many cheap microscopes now to study science. Brilliant and well produced video. Kudos.

[@EsteeWhitePhotography]

This is a very nice video, the only thing is that with that lens you don't even reach macro magnification ratio 1:1 (subject image size to real life size) ... I honestly don't know what kind of magnification you were measuring - digital zoom maybe ?

[@kmyoshino]

You need the focus lens from the laser. Its whats acting as a macro lens for the camera.

[@LordSither1]

there is a knob on your speakers, turn it clockwise and you should hear more from them... (if you dont have a knob, the turn the wheel and the volume should go up)

[@justncase80]

You should do a kickstarter to make and distribute some really cheap pre-made stations. I would buy.

[@blaablaakas]

The audio is fine. I think there might be a problem with your speakers/headphones.

[@nerys71]

all you have to know is 25.4mm is 1 inch. all of the dimensions are "not critical" you can fudge them in either direction if you wish so use 20mm for 3/4" its close enough and an easy number.

[@rangerrixx]

I built two of these and they work very well with a Nexus 7 tablet. I have two nieces on Easter Island. I plan to send one to them since they enjoy science. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@MachoMaster]

No problem and no need to apologize. It's amazing that so many people fail to understand that I wasn't complaining per se (yes, I can use Google), but simply pointing to the fact you were probably completely oblivious to. And I was correct. So now you will know of the issue and if needed, will dublicate the measurements in a SI system. Which will ultimately make your videos even better. Everybody is happy, no? :)

[@BrandonFurtwangler]

volume in youtube has been broken for months. you can click it, and then use up and down on the keyboard arrows to work around the bug.

[@TushantMirchandani]

Ah! That makes sense... but what about stuff such as "coins"? They would be pretty opaque, though? Thus unaffected by the backlight?

[@marcopederzoli4939]

This project is invaluable, I think. All kids should own one. I also think someone should sell a pre-assembled version of this, as well as a kit. Non everyone owns a driller and it can be tricky to find a lens of the proper size.

[@BioKatz]

This is AWESOME! I love you your philosophy behind building this and will look forward to having my students build one to use for their experiments in class this year! One question, what's the best way to cut the plexi to size so it doesn't chip or crack? Can a table saw do it or is a jig saw better?

[@larso1dl]

What an amazing project. Heading to Home Depot first thing in the morning. Do you have a tool list on this with exactly what you used....just for simplification. Awesome idea. Huge pat on the back to you. Way awesome.

[@ЦзинКэ-ы5х]

I'm pretty sure, that the Fresnel lens gotta be useful in that stand.

[@hakkatanhali]

I'm thinking wingnuts are needed to adjust the viewing stage to accommodate for the thickness of what you're viewing. I've not made mine yet however the stage to place your specimen shouldn't be stationary.

[@gundanium]

What other common things have more powerful lenses? Will compounding lenses also work to get more powerful magnification?

[@gramirez00]

wouldnt it be easier to make something that holds the lens in front of the smartphone camera, I get that the setting you are using resembels a traditional microscope, but I think it would be more portable and maybe easier to make

[@ddkew]

I would think that placing the lens just right would be critical. There are other everyday sources for lenses that would be better quality; for example, those obsolete cameras in my closet, or the videocam so old that drivers can't be found. The entire device could be made with acrylic or other clear plastic, and nylon nuts and bolts, or just plasctic rod. The specimen stage adjustment looks awkward, with the 2 bolts; it could be better if the stage went up and down on its own bolt ...

[@LordSither1]

hmm... i know the volume on the video is low. make sure you have the system volume up (click the speaker icon on your tool bar near your clock. and make sure the video volume is up. assuming you are on PC) good luck. and also an awesome idea in the video... or click the instructables link and read about it

[@julesgirardprof.2869]

Found this in 2020, and I love it! I'll definitely build several of these. For myself, for my class and for my science teachers colleagues.

[@RandomProductionsOG]

This is one of the most amazing constructions I've seen in a very very long time !!

[@judithe.foester7725]

I have an inexpensive Magiscope which I have taken around the world with me for 25 years. You can "Digiscope" photos by holding your camera next to the 'viewfinder'. Maybe used ones on Ebay?

[@bioalchemistry]

I'll let you know how it turns out for me. I'm not too handy, but this is too cool not to try. Any laser pointer you recommend like off of Amazon?

[@kmyoshino]

I tested four cheap laser pointers. All worked. I really haven't noticed a difference at all in their magnification. Only one word of caution, avoid the dual LED/LASER combinations. Their lenses are too small for this application. The lens should be the same size as the camera.

[@customswithker1649]

I suspect it would... and I certainly hope so because that's the one I plan to use!

[@yyyihad]

Just as a reference, can you please detail the brand and model of the laser you're using? I guess not all laser pointers are alike, and I don't want start buying one laser after another until I get the correct one...

[@AggressiveTwig]

This is a great idea, could more then one lens from a laser pointer be used to get increased zoom?

[@GenomancerBot]

This is one of the best things I've seen in a while.

[@danyvigil]

I agree, and its not just about money. This can be seen by group at the same time, because it has a fairly big screen instead of a view finder. And it can take photos! I don't know how much a microscope that allow you to take photos costs, but I can imagine it is way more expensive than a smartphone. My father is a science teacher in El Salvador and this is is something he definitely can use, since public schools here don't have budget for microscopes.

[@DrDherp]

I havn't tried building this yet, but I think you'll want acrylic glass instead of plexi. It is less likely to crack when drilling.

[@pisoiorfan]

plexiglass is another name for acrylic glass.

[@DrDherp]

You're half right. www.ehow.com/about_7237550_acrylic-vs_-plexi-glass.html

[@pisoiorfan]

+Tom Stockman Well, that source says plexi is less likely to crack . "However, softer material tends to crack or chip when drilling or cutting it. Plexiglass has a harder surface so cracking becomes less of an issue.". Anyway, drilling is not that difficult, just extra care and mabe practice on a spare piece.

[@rikeus3495]

Not all lasers are illegal, just those above a specific wattage (and rightfull so - they can set things on fire from meters away!)

[@KoenOnbekend]

Obviously you haven't researched the techniques in this phone camera. It has a 2/3-inch BSI sensor with OIS, and a f/2.2 all-aspherical 1-group Carl Zeiss lens. This is combination with the Nokia Pureview technology, creates pictures that far exceed the quality of compact-cameras and certainly challenges a lot of SLR's. Furthermore, it has manual focus (which is useful in this case). Because you can take 38mp photo's, it allows for 4x lossless zoom. Trust me, this thing is a beast. Look it up.

[@Waiting_To_Retire]

This is marvelous. Education systems could save a ton of cash using these, especially if the students build it. Thanks!

[@WKSOnce]

Can you give the theory behind the working of this microscope,I know the basic phenomena behind magnification but is there something noteworthy to know about it's working?

[@IcoKirov]

i think most of the pictures shown here are made with actual microscope - the preview they make with the coin and the leave after 1:17 are noting like the cells shown later and in the beginning of the video.

[@mikejgray]

Just for reference, a quarter of an inch is 6.35mm ( roughly ) and 3/4 will be 19.05mm :)

[@valor36az]

Great idea made this today, I used plastic from a container instead of the clear sheet that you did doesn't look tidy but it works!

[@JanKoci]

you probably missed the addition of that laser lens ;)

[@nikkibefreefromdrugs3308]

Excellent idea I am so building me one of these , well now that I have thought about it I will make two and use different lenses in each .Thank you

[@StevenArzberger]

What if the lens are not the same size as the camera? Would it work with smaller lens? I really dont know the dimensions of the generic chinese lens used in pocket lasers. Thanks for the collaboration! Regards from Paraguay!

[@kmyoshino]

Working on getting this fixed.

[@jamescollins9349]

Is the hole for the laser focus lens all the way through the plexi? Are the lenses a generic size or will I have to measure it first before drilling the hole for it? Great vid! I'm very excited about making one of these - already got all the materials, just need feedback on that one part and I'm good to go. Thanks for uploading this!! (Wasn't keen on shelling out the money for a professional microscope either... which in all honesty probably never would have happened, lol)

[@MateusAntonioBittencourt]

This video is awesome... I think I gonna build one. But I have one question... the different zooms that the video showed was only the zoom of the smartphone camera or did you use another set of lens too?

[@xLOVExGODx]

Truly amazing! Thank you, for taking the time to show step by step how to make this possible :) You've definitely done an outstanding job sir!

[@vjgf1971]

Try also with a little drop of water on the lens. I tried and ¡It works!

[@charries96]

Simple, it means one quarter of how long an inch is in metric ;) Approximately 6.4mm though :)

Great video, thanks so much for posting it, I see if I can get my kids interested on it. Can I suggest that to satisfy those that use the metric system, you could add comments with the measurements when you talk about those? That way it would be easier to keep track. Thanks.

[@SandsMemphis]

Wish the sound was a little better, but thanks!

[@Aliwoof23]

this is amazing thank you so much, i have spent the past 2 hours looking for an affordable and decent digital microscope but this is a way better option for me

[@maaizmoosa7729]

I just made it, using galaxy grand duos and its working fine. Sure its not as good as a real microscope though, I find it excellent. I've only had access to a microscope once as my school never even had a funtioning lab but I graduated with all A's in science.

[@byteridr]

The sound of the video is nearly silent. I turned my desk loudspeakers to the maximum and it is only a bit louder than i like it. I think with my laptop the maximum would not be loud enough to undestand everything, because the fan would be louder.

[@yesleftnip3383]

Can you list all the stores that sell these items that would b much appreciated Thx

[@kmyoshino]

Search on youtube (can't post links) for "Preparing animal and plant cell slides" Try this. If you don't have stains for the onion cells, use red onion epidermal cells. The pigment of the red onion skin is very visible with the scope.