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 | "I got this running -- it was pretty simple to change a couple files in the boot drive. But I found that it wasn't easy to just connect via a web br..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| Paquicamus | "Hi there, what a great project! I have a question, in a certain way related to your article. Would it be possible to connect or adapt your work to ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Just built it - So awesome! This kit is really fun. Love it. I might suggest a piece of double sided sticky tape to stick the Rasberry Pi to the b..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| wmacfarl | "@warren @kgradow1 @bmela It wouldn't be hard to print out adapters for the v1.3 camera instead of the v2 camera -- the way the OpenFlexure project ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| 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 | "This post has a lot of information about lighting for this project - some buying options and also a build option https://publiclab.org/notes/partsa..." | 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 | "We've been working with these to take initial photos: https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-PS25W-Microscope-Biological-Education/dp/B009YLNJ4A/ref=sr_1_..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| cedarlodge | "It would use the USB port. The zero is wired to draw power through it as well as data. I've just enabled it on the Pi zero i'm using at work. You ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "OMG I know what you mean, @wmacfarl and I have been talking about how one tiny thing can ruin your whole day when working with Raspberry Pis. And I..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Awesome!!! We're going to start distributing these with buttons and low-profile batteries soon at http://store.publiclab.org so including a button ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| cedarlodge | "Have got it to work before in a pi zero (no WiFi). Key thing is to make sure the micro usb you use is also a data cable. That’s one very frustratin..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| cedarlodge | "Here’s a basic guide to adding a tactile button to the GPIO pins: https://www.modmypi.com/blog/tutorial-tactile-switch For a neater package, i’d ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| dcanprdn | "Just search microscope slides at https://www.carolina.com/ or https://www.wardsci.com/ or https://www.flinnsci.com " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Note these prior questions related to this one: https://publiclab.org/notes/mathew/10-07-2016/sizing-images-at-portland-science-hackday And this,..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "This blog is by someone who works for an energy company, helping to mine frac sand, and publishes a book called "Finding Frac Sand" -- yikes. The ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "TXSharon posted this note about photographs of sand dust from a sandbox: http://www.texassharon.com/2012/07/31/take-this-nice-fracking-sand-for-yo..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Here's what I think the parts list would look like with links to what we're testing out: https://publiclab.org/wiki/basic-microscope#Example+parts+..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Hi! I think the kit would only need one of those lights, I'm not sure what the rest of the kit would need from that list. perhaps some of them (imm..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| asnow | "For @stevie @partsandcrafts Which parts listed in the spreadsheet Jeff linked are essential to a prototyping kit? 16GB SD card - would a smaller si..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Has anyone tried these? or have other ideas that could work? " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| stevie | "I've been looking into these two lights (here and here), and also heard that a cell phone could work with a holder like this. " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago |