Cellphone microscope: A microscope that fits to your pocket

We always get fascinated with the beautiful structural life  of the micro-world because the Gods creation looks more beautiful in the sub-micron dimensions. A usual bamboo leaf looks more beautiful with its microscopic structural pattern. Moreover, the sub-microscopic investigation plays a vital role in human health.

Wikimedia commons: By Graeme Bartlett - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

But most of us are unable to visualize this fascinating unknown world due to requirement of microscopic imaging devices such as a light microscope. Due to its high cost it can't be affordable by individual even a laboratory with low resource settings. 

Wikimedia commons- Center for Biofilm Research, Montana State University, CC BY-SA 4.0

Thanks to prof. Aydogan Ozcan and his research team of UCLA for developing ultra low cost and field portable "Cellphone Microscope" which may help millions of depriving people around the world. In a peer reviewed researcher (Click for more details) article they have demonstrated  use of this miniaturized cellphone based microscope in imaging red blood cell, white blood cell and waterborne parasites such as E. Coli. 

The mini microscope is based on the lens-free digital holography and rigorous image processing algorithm. As mention by Prof. ozcan the cost of this cellphone microscope is less than $10.