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Caltech Shows Off a Lensless, Miniaturized Microscope

DeviceGuru writes "Caltech claims its researchers have 'turned science fiction into reality' with their development of a single-chip microscope. Although it doesn't have any lenses, the device is said to provide magnification comparable to that of sophisticated optical microscopes. The microscope's magnifying capabilities derive from a technology known as microfluidics, which is based on the channeling of fluid flow at incredibly small scales. Applications for the so-called 'optofluidic microscope' are expected to include field analysis of blood samples for malaria, or checking water supplies for giardia and other pathogens. The project's director thinks devices based on it could be implanted directly into the human body, in order to help arrest the spread of cancer." There's also coverage of the microscope at EE Times.

4 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Washington Quarter Noses by avandesande · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It was not meant to be funny! This is the dumbing down of our society and it sucks!

    If you use actual units of measure:
    1) Scientifically minded people will know what you're talking about
    2) Young inquiring minds will expand their knowledge of a measuring unit
    3) People that don't care enough to find out about measuring units won't care about your article either

    If you make up some stupid unit:
    1) You annoy scientifically minded people
    2) Young minds don't learn anything about measuring units
    3) They still don't care!

    --
    love is just extroverted narcissism
  2. It *HAS* a lens! by erroneus · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just because it's not built from glass (which some may argue is also a liquid) does not make it any less of a lens.

    It's not lensless, it's a different kind of lens.

  3. Where's the pictures? by Joce640k · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I expected a new microscope to have some pictures to show...

    --
    No sig today...
  4. Re:Caltech not Cal Tech by Gilmoure · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Calcutta Technical Institute is a fine school.

    --
    I drank what? -- Socrates