Reasonable cost mycology microscope

I am currently setting up a small micro lab at home as I am taking care of someone on medical leave.  I wanted to find a reasonably good quality microscope that allowed me to read samples but cost less than $1000.  I settled on an AmScope T720 40X-1000X Plan Infinity Kohler Laboratory Trinocular Compound Microscope from Amazon and purchased it with regular shipping for less than $600. 

The trinocular scope has a 10x eyepiece with 4x 10x 20x 40x and 100x Plan nose pieces.  I stayed away from the 20x eyepiece on other models as any magnification without oil over 400x tends to be a bit blurry.  The 200x magnification really speeds up a scan of the field with a bit more clarity than the 10x and more area than the 400x,  The LED light works well as does the stage operation. I may later purchase a digital camera for the top mounted lens.

One minor issue with the scope.  It does not maintain perfect focus when transitioning between different magnifications.  On the plus side it has eye correction adjustments for both eyepieces.  The field of vision is good and the ergonomics of the scope is sound even though I chose not to pay for a model with a tilting eye piece.

Alternaria spp. and Penicillium spp. spores 200x - N.Carlson

The above photo was taken with a Samsung Galaxy S-5 smart phone through the eyepiece of the microscope with magnification at 200x.  This is definitely good enough to pick out spores during an initial scan of both and Air-o-cell cassette trace or a tease tape sample. This was a tease tape sample taken from a swab. 

Foldscope kickstarter program

Foldscope microscope -

Foldscope has launched a Kickstarter program for its next round of origami foldable microscopes with a 140x lens.  Sign up at Foldscope Kickstarter to purchase the microscope.  The lower cost sponsorships are no longer available.  Microscopes in lots of 20 can still be obtained for less than $2 per scope.  The current low cost project is $30 for a teacher's kit.  It includes 20 microscopes plus a teacher microscope with case.  The cost for shipping will vary depending on the location. 

I recently used this Foldscope in the field as part of a mold investigation.  I magnetically attached a Foldscope  to a Samsung S-5 cellphone.  The researcher and our Facilities Management representative could then view the magnified image of the mold Cladosporium spp. growing on the supply diffuser.  

Supply diffuser with suspected mold growth.

Original Foldscope image unmagnified

Foldscope image of Cladosporium spp. magnified and enhanced with Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.

FLIR ONE photo options

Full color spectrum IR image from FLIR-One infrared camera

The FLIR ONE infrared camera for Android and i-phone offers several imaging options to emphasize one part of the image.  Sometimes simplifying an image helps to focus attention on either a hot spot or a cold spot in the frame. The first image above shows the full color default infrared setting. The next two images emphasize the coldest and warmest spots in the image.

Blue cold area by open window

Red hot area by supply air diffuser from a forced air furnace

FLIR ONE IR camera for Android and iOS

Flir One reflected IR image off of glass in an office - N. Carlson

The FLIR ONE Thermal Imager for Android uses the USB input from the camera to take infrared photos with visual light outlines.  Without the outlines it is sometimes difficult to orientate to the objects that are being photographed. An iphone version is also available FLIR ONE Thermal Imager for iOS.

Pros: The cost is reasonable. It varies around $200 to $250 USD. from Amazon or other retailers. Stand alone units cost 2 to 10 times as much.   The camera charges in one hour using a standard android USB charger.  The cable is included, but the plug in is not. A small case with a lanyard is provided.  Instructions are online.  Two additional connections are included to allow the FLIR ONE to be connected to the camera at different orientations.  The infrared images are clear and the spot temperature reading in both Celsius and Fahrenheit is useful.  It also shoots videos.

Cons: The infrared camera app interface is a bit buggy. The initial USB interface often displays an error message before working.  The camera image also sometimes freezes.  The camera works best when the temperature cross hairs are turned on.  It worked on my Samsung 5 SM-G900A camera Android version 5.1.1.  It did not work on my LG Leon with running on Android version 5.1.1.

Interesting features:  After taking a photo, the image can be reviewed in the FLIR ONE app.  If the image is finger swiped up or down the natural light image is revealed below.

Heat left over on sofa seats after the people have left - N. Carlson

The image of the photographer is reflected in the window opened at the bottom - N. Carlson

A device is hooked up to a power strip pulling phantom power.  I unplugged it after taking this picture. - N. Carlson

Paecilomyces spp.

Paecilomyces spp. growing in a malt extract agar culture plate - N. Carlson

Paecilomyces spp. microscopic photo - N. Carlson

Paecilomyces spp. in culture - N. Carlson

The organism, Paecilomyces spp. is structurally similar to Glocladium spp.(Trichoderma spp.), Penicillium spp. and Scopulariopsis spp.  The tendency of the conidia to be produced in chains and angle off at a 45 degree angle from the phialide separates it from the other three.  Even though the tan flat colonies of Paecilomyces spp. and Scopulariopsis spp. colonies appear to be similar on culture plates, the round rough spores of Scopulariopsis spp. differ substantially from often smooth oval shaped Paecilomyces spp. spores.  

This organism is less frequently picked up in culturable air samples then Penicillium spp. It grows well in compost and rotting food. According to EMLab P&K, it can cause both allergies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.  The organism is rarely pathogenic individuals even though it can grow at 37 degrees Celsius.  There is a potential for hospital acquired (nosocomial) infections in immune compromised individuals. 

On a spore trap sample the Paeciliomyces spp. spores would be classified as Asp/Pen like. 

Paecilomyces spp. - Mold Removal.com 2 min.

Torula spp.

Torula spp. from air sample - N. Carlson

From my experience, the yeast Torula spp. is occasionally found in outdoor air samples.  The spores will typically be in chains of three or more with one of the cells broken in half at one end. 

The organism can be identified using tease tapes or a spore trace sample (Air-o-Cell).  It grows on cellulose material (oats, straw, and wicker etc.)  and is reported by EMLab P&K to be allergenic and not pathogenic to humans.

Bagpipes cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Mold species in Bagpipes photo from Zedie.wordpress.com

From the Washington Post, a British bagpipes player died from hypersensitivity pneumonitis (wikipedia) after suffering gradually deteriorating health for seven years. Doctors never made the connection with his love for bagpipes and his chronic respiratory problems.  His health improved briefly during a three month trip to Australia as he left his bagpipes behind.  It declined upon his return home.

Tests of his bagpipes found three genera of molds including Rhodotorula spp., Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp. This case raises the importance of proper cleaning of musical instruments after use and the importance of getting a proper medical history for a person's occupation and outside recreational interests.

Hypersenitivity Pneumonitis Bagpipes - 2 min.

Bagpipe lung - 1 min. 

Sisyphus Railroad renewable energy storage by ARES North America

ARES North America - The Power of Gravity

ARES technology

One of the challenges for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar is the episodic nature of the power generation when the wind stops blowing and the sun sets or there is cloud cover.  There are several options for energy storage that include batteries, compressed gas, flywheel, water pumping up a gradient, and conversion to hydrogen through electrolysis.

ARES technology is working on a rail system that converts the potential energy of a change in height elevation into electricity.  Electrical energy from wind or solar is used to send rail weighted cars up a steep gradient.  When the cars are released back down the gradient the change from potential to kinetic energy is captured by regenerative braking on the cars with an efficiency of around 75%.  ARES currently has a pilot project in Bakersfield California and hopes to set up similar projects around the world where the topography is favorable.

Silent video on ARES technology as clouds move over a solar array - 2 min.

News report on the process - 3 min.

Minnepura - Using bacteria in silica beads to clean water contaminated with chemicals

The National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) listed Minnepura Technologies Inc. as one of the "Best University Startups 2016."  Minnepura uses bacteria inside silica beads to break down dangerous chemicals in water into non hazardous byproducts.  The bacteria are specifically selected for the chemicals that need to be decontaminated.

The technology is based on published research by Alptekin Aksan, Ph.D.  Mechanical Engineering and Larry Wackett, Ph.D. Professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics who also serve as technical advisors.

In December of 2013, Larry Wackett, Ph.D. presented information about this process to our departmental retreat. He discussed using this process to decontaminate water used in the oil fracking process.

Minnepura CEO Paul R. Hansen - 3 min. 

School Indoor Air Quality Training - Minnesota Department of Health

The Minnesota Department of Health is conducting ‘School Indoor Air Quality Trainings’ statewide and via webinar this Fall. The details are attached and also available at the MDH site : http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/schools/training.html

Public schools must have health and safety programs that comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations and best practices, including indoor air quality (IAQ) management. This training will discuss the state’s best practices for school IAQ management, which include having an IAQ Coordinator and an IAQ Plan. Non-public schools are also encouraged to have an IAQ Plan and attend this class.

Registration for this class is required. Individual classes may be canceled if registration is low.

Registration:
To register, please complete the enclosed registration form and mail or email to:
Minnesota Department of Health, Indoor Air Unit, PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Email: tina.leland@state.mn.us
Where and When:
St. Cloud: September 22, 2016 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Health
Midtown Square 
3333 West Division Street, Suite 212 
St. Cloud, MN 56301 
www.health.state.mn.us/about/stcloud.html

Bemidji: September 23, 2016 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Health
705 - 5th Street NW, Suite A, Bemidji, MN 56601 
www.health.state.mn.us/about/bemidji.html

Roseville: October 5, 2016 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Education
Room CC17, 1500 Highway 36 West Roseville, MN 55113 www.education.state.mn.us/MDE/Welcome/Direc/

North Mankato: October 12, 2016 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
South Central Service Cooperative
2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
www.mnscsc.org/about-us

Roseville: October 25, 2016 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Education
Room CC17, 1500 Highway 36 West Roseville, MN 55113 www.education.state.mn.us/MDE/Welcome/Direc/

Webinar: October 11, 2016 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Email with instructions will be sent to webinar registrants