For $10, Convert Your Smartphone into a Microscope with Photo and Video Capabilities

[Update – 10:43AM 10/29/13] We actually built one of these $10 microscope stands. Take a look at the photos we took using it to see how well it works.

Now you can do science at home with a $10 DIY smartphone microscope stand. Like pretty much everything else they touch, smartphones make microscopes better by making them less expensive, more portable, and granting you the ability to take photos and video of your subjects. It’s great to live in the future.

If you’ve got the required tools handy, it should only take about 20 minutes to build the microscope stand. Considering how much a real microscope costs and the built-in photographic capabilities of the smartphone one, it’s well worth the time and effort. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

Also, if you’re into home science projects enough to want your own microscope, building the stand yourself is probably just an added bonus. Go make one and take pictures of amazing things.

(via BoingBoing, image via kmyoshino)

Meanwhile in related links

• These terrifying parasites would probably look even scarier under your microscope
• Science explains that we need sleep to clean our dirty minds
• If you like DIY projects, you might as well make some Gallifreyan window shades

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.

twitter Link to www.projectmgame.com