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