Turn Your Smartphone Into a Digital Microscope For Under $10

Smartphones have come a long way in terms of technology advancements, and one such feature that stands out is the camera. With the advancements made in camera technology, it has become possible to convert your smartphone camera into a digital microscope. If you are a science enthusiast, this can be particularly exciting as you now have access to a powerful microscope without breaking the bank.

The conversion process is relatively easy, and you can do it yourself within a few hours. Thanks to the DIY Conversion Stand, which you can build using some few things that are readily available in your local store, you can magnify objects to a magnification level of 375x using your phone camera.

What You Need

To get started with the conversion process, you will need some few things, which include:

– A soft drink bottle cap

– A small LED light

– An old phone case

– Copper wire

– A hot glue gun

– A bio lens or any old lens

– A sharp knife

Once you have all these items, you can start the conversion process.

How to Build the DIY Conversion Stand

1. Step One

The first step in building the conversion stand is to create the base. To do this, you will need to cut off the base of the soft drink bottle cap using a sharp knife. Ensure that the base is cut off uniformly to enable the stand to be stable.

2. Step Two

The second step is to create the holder for the smartphone. To do this, you will need to use an old phone case by cutting it into the desired size and shape. Once you have cut the case to the desired size, apply some hot glue to the inside of the case and stick it to the center of the base.

3. Step Three

The third step is to attach the copper wire to the holder. Cut off some copper wire to the desired length and insert it into the holder. Ensure that the wire is long enough to hold the lens and keep it in place.

4. Step Four

The fourth step is to attach the LED light to the holder. Apply some hot glue to the back of the LED light and attach it to the holder. Ensure that the light is positioned at the base of the stand to allow for maximum illumination.

5. Step Five

The fifth step is to attach the bio lens to the holder. Take the bio lens or any old lens that you have, and use the copper wire to attach it to the holder. Ensure that the lens is stable and does not move around.

6. Step Six

The final step is to test the conversion stand. Place the object you want to magnify on a smooth surface and turn on the LED light. Place your smartphone onto the holder and focus the camera on the object. You can now adjust the focus to magnify the object to the desired level.

Benefits of Using a Smartphone as a Digital Microscope

1. Portable

One of the biggest advantages of using a smartphone as a digital microscope is that it is portable. You can carry it wherever you go, making it convenient to study specimens in the field.

2. Easy to use

Using a smartphone as a digital microscope is also incredibly easy. With the DIY Conversion Stand, the process is relatively easy, and you can do it yourself within a few hours.

3. Cost-effective

Lastly, using a smartphone as a digital microscope is highly cost-effective. Traditional microscopes can cost thousands of dollars, making it inaccessible to many people. The DIY Conversion Stand, on the other hand, costs less than $10, making it affordable for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Converting your smartphone camera into a digital microscope is not only easy but also highly cost-effective. With the DIY Conversion Stand, you can build a compact and portable microscope that you can use to study specimens in the field. The conversion process is relatively easy, and you can do it yourself within a few hours. So, what are you waiting for? Follow the instructions in the tutorial and take your first step in turning your smartphone into a digital microscope.