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Foldscope

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Foldscope: Origami-based paper microscope
James Cybulski, James Clements, Manu Prakash
5 Mar 2014
http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.1211
http://www.ted.com/talks/manu_prakash_a_50_cent_microscope_that_folds_like_origami
http://www.foldscope.com

Here we describe an ultra-low-cost origami-based approach for large-scale manufacturing of microscopes, specifically demonstrating brightfield, darkfield, and fluorescence microscopes.
Merging principles of optical design with origami enables high-volume fabrication of microscopes from 2D media.
Flexure mechanisms created via folding enable a flat compact design. Structural loops in folded paper provide kinematic constraints as a means for passive self-alignment. This light, rugged instrument can survive harsh field conditions while providing a diversity of imaging capabilities, thus serving wide-ranging applications for cost-effective, portable microscopes in science and education.

related:
http://www.npr.org/2014/08/07/338119804/transformer-paper-turns-itself-into-a-robot-cool

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