The iPhone microscope can, with its built-in camera, capture hi-def medical images.
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore is based in Portland, Oregon, and has written for Wired, The Christian Science Monitor, and public radio. Her semi-obscure hobbies include climbing, billiards, board games that take up a lot of space, and piano.
This iPhone microscope prototype costs roughly $30.
2 of 5 S. Wachsmann-Hogiu, et al/UC Davis
Blood samples
The upper row shows images of blood samples taken with a traditional microscope. From left to right: normal, iron deficiency anemia, and sickle cell anemia. The bottom row shows the same samples imaged via the iPhone.
3 of 5 S. Wachsmann-Hogiu, et al/UC Davis
Sugar crystal
Images of a sugar crystal taken through polarized light filters. Left: traditional microscope. Right: cell phone microscope.
4 of 5 S. Wachsmann-Hogiu, et al/UC Davis
Spectrometer
The spectrum of a fluorescent bulb taken by an iPhone spectrometer. While the iPhone is not as precise as the commercial unit, it accurately picks up the peaks in color intensity.
5 of 5 S. Wachsmann-Hogiu, et al/UC Davis
Pollen and plant stems
Stained samples of pollen (left images) and plant stems (right two images). Top row: commercial microscope. Bottom row: cell phone microscope.
