Community Microscope

The Community Microscope kit is an introductory microscope made from affordable technology reimagined as scientific tools.

By inverting the lens of a simple webcam, we’ve created a magnification tool that can be plugged into a computer via USB in order to digitally capture pictures and video of magnified samples. Our microscopes are made with laser-cut acrylic stages with twistable bolts to raise and lower the stage and focus the image. A flexible gooseneck LED light is used to illuminate the samples and shine through whatever materials you have collected on your slide. 

Follow the build instructions found here and you can be examining the world around you in 30 minutes or less!
 

Each Kit Includes:

• a Webcam
• 2 microscope stages (top and bottom)
• 5 slides and slide covers
• a gooseneck USB light
• 3 bolts
• 9 wingnuts
• 9 washers
• 2 rubber bands
• a clothespin
• a piece of double-sided tape

This product’s design is based on the LifePatch microscope, the Hackteria microscope, the OpenFlexure Microscope, and @maxliboiron's work at http://CivicLaboratory.nl (#13503), among other sources, and we welcome your suggestions for how to improve this product! Join the community at PublicLab.org/micro!

Planning to order 5 or more? Please contact us for bulk pricing.