The Basic Microscope Kit is an introductory Do-It-Yourself microscope made from affordable and easy to find parts. It's based on [the Hackteria microscope](https://publiclab.org/notes/partsandcrafts/10-26-2017/making-a-hackteria-microscope), the OpenFlexure Microscope, and @maxliboiron's work at http://CivicLaboratory.nl ( #13503 ), among other sources. (above image by @partsandcrafts) ## Goals This project was started as a collaboration between Public Lab and [Parts & Crafts](http://partsandcrafts.org). The goals of the project are: 1. offer a very easy starting point for DIY microscopy 2. act as a stepping-stone to more advanced DIY microscopes 3. be as affordable and simple as possible while still providing great microscopic images 4. be good enough to view 2-5 micron size particles (see [sample images below](#Sample+images)) ##About the parts ### General parts list * a lens (objective) * a [Raspberry Pi](/tag/raspberry-pi) * a [Raspberry Pi camera](/pi-camera) * a light source * a rigid stage to connect these all together ###Example parts list for building a Basic Microscope: * [Raspberry Pi camera](https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-Camera-Module-Webcam-Raspberry/dp/B00FGKYHXA/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516378086&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=raspberry+pi+camera&psc=1) * [Raspberry Pi Zero W](https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Wireless-Starter-Official/dp/B06XJQV162/) * [a micro SD card](https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-MicroSDHC-SDSDQM-B35A-Without-Adapter/dp/B004ZIENBA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8) * [a USB light](https://www.amazon.com/I-MU-Flexible-Gooseneck-Brightness-Gray-White/dp/B071Y3P8ZC/) * [a lens (objective x40)](http://www.amscope.com/40x-achromatic-microscope-objective.html) * [a hackteria microscope stage](https://publiclab.org/notes/partsandcrafts/01-22-2018/building-the-microscope-stage) (with modifications from Parts and Crafts!) * [a 3D printed objective adapter](https://github.com/rwb27/openflexure_microscope/blob/master/stl/optics_picam2_rms.stl) * the bolts to hold it together Extras to help you get started: * [Microscope slides](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JFRP1K/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) * [A microscope stage calibration slide](http://www.amscope.com/microscope-stage-calibration-slide-for-usb-camera-0-01mm-stage-micrometer.html) * [Microscope Immersion Oil](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PD4IZS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A35BV4NHHC5J5C&psc=1) * Rubberbands * A magnet **** ## Getting started Start with the [Overview activity, here](/notes/partsandcrafts/11-26-2017/building-a-raspberry-pi-microscope). Then see [the activities below](#Activities) for each step in detail. _Basic Prototyping Kit now available for sale in the [Public Lab store](https://publiclab.myshopify.com/collections/under-development/products/basic-microscope-prototyping-kit-preorder?variant=7861722578972)!_ **** ## Questions [questions:basic-microscope]  ## Activities [activities:basic-microscope] ## Challenges We're working to refine and improve DIY spectrometry on a number of fronts; here, take a look at the leading challenges we're hoping to solve, and post your own. For now, we're using the Q&A feature, so just click "Ask a question" to post your own challenge. [questions:basic-microscope-challenge] **** ## People Folks involved in getting this project started include: [people:group:partsandcrafts] **** ## Sample images [](/system/images/photos/000/022/598/original/sample_1.jpg) [](/system/images/photos/000/022/597/original/sample_3.jpg) ...
| Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| warren | "@wmacfarl @kgradow1 @bmela " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, we're trying to use Raspberry Pi's v1.3 cameras, and the lens adapters don't fit the placement of cables and components on those, but it looks ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Hi! I noticed on your last photo you also have a rubber band across the bottom of the scope. What does that one do? Oh nice add-on with the magnet..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "This is so great. I don't even have one in front of me, and I can follow along. Nice work! if you're switching out the objectives, do you have tho..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "For reference, here is a diagram of lung tissue that better explains what you're looking at: http://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-d-human-phys..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| partsandcrafts | " " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Ooh! Cross post at https://publiclab.org/questions/stevie/01-22-2018/what-is-the-best-light-source-to-use-for-the-basic-microscope -- awesome! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| partsandcrafts | "@warren @kgradow I've also been experimenting with using a magnet sandwich to hold the carriage bolt in place, like so. It seems helpful. Though ..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| partsandcrafts | "@warren I just got and tried using that light you suggested: https://www.amazon.com/I-MU-Flexible-Gooseneck-Brightness-Gray-White/dp/B071Y3P8ZC/ I..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Just copying the files in here as a backup! hackteria_modified_for_cut.pdf hacktera_modified_exported.svg Hackteria_Microscope_Modified_for_p..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Awesome. Trying to get a bunch of the parts and prices together here: https://publiclab.org/questions/warren/12-08-2017/how-cheaply-can-i-get-all-t..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| partsandcrafts | "@warren @kgradow1 -- we also tried using one of these lights -- https://www.amazon.com/Cat-CT1000-Pocket-COB-Light/dp/B012BR6D1E/ -- and found that..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Broke out the idea of a USB-only connection in this question! https://publiclab.org/questions/warren/12-15-2017/how-can-we-set-up-a-raspberry-pi-ca..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Awesome -- i used the image and it worked perfectly! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, @partsandcrafts @wmacfarl @kgradow1 @bmela - i'd be happy to do some formatting work on this post if you want to add my username as a coauthor ..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "This is awesome. maybe we should build out a part of the Q&A specifically about lighting. @maxliboiron has mentioned lighting can be a challeng..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| wmacfarl | "@warren @kgradow1 -- it's true that we did try a bunch of different lights, and the best we found was a single LED. But the main reason this was t..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "We tried it with a bunch of different light sources, including a diffuse multi-LED source (book light). The best source was a single LED at close..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh, is it important that the light be a point, and not multiple point, or a diffuse source? " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "Having the point source seems pretty important -- however, it seems possible to do a micro LED copper tape coin battery solution, which would bring..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh! The docs say "Clicking on the image will toggle between normal and full screen mode." Awesome! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "This is great! Love the photos. Was thinking if there was a cheap product we could substitute for the LED and battery pack, to save a few steps, bu..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| amirberAgain | "This looks really nice! I'll start assembling the parts! in the mean time, a small suggestion: place a diffuser (piece of parchment paper) between ..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| stevie | "@stevie awards a barnstar to partsandcrafts for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago |