- A low-cost microscope mostly made of “paper” has been developed by an Indian-origin scientist Manu Prakash from Stanford University.
- The ‘foldscope‘ contains three stages–
- a specimen stage in which the slide is placed
- an optics stage that holds a ball lens and
- an illumination stage that contains an LED light.
- To view the specimen sample, user needs to place their eye close to the lens against the paper,controlling magnification with the thumb etc akin to traditional microscope.
- Several concerns are revealed about ‘Foldscope’ usage such as
- eye strain,
- ergonomics and
- examining infectious samples close to one’s body.
- Experts are further developing a different type of microscope which can be used in certain riskier circumstances.
Exams Perspective:
- Foldscope
- Microscope
- Ergonomics