The CellScope illumination system: A ring of low-cost, low-power, and high-brightness white LEDs. The LEDs are powered by a battery attached to the device, and are angled to fully illuminate a sample at the focal point of the device.    (Credit: David Breslauer, Wilbur Lam, and Tom Hunt / Berkeley University)

Preliminary work has demonstrated the technical feasibility of this ‘telemicroscopy’ concept. While the ideal result would be low-budget, high-resolution microscopy images, the project is still only in its early stages, as the technology required to achieve this goal has yet to be fully established. According to the researchers at the Blum Center for Developing Economies, the final product will enable high quality telemicroscopy, which combined with cellular communication will enable doctors to remotely diagnose diseases.  

CellScope in action: Examining a microscope slide (Credit: Berkeley University)

TFOT recently covered the Finchscope, a new 3D microscope, which may enable cheaper, faster, and more accurate three-dimensional imaging, and the development of a new scanning tunneling microscope, which could speed up atomic-level microscopy. Another related story is the development of a miniature sensor that can measure air and water pollution levels, which can help scientists in highly polluted countries and regions. 

The CellScope Project is actively developing a second-generation device for field testing in 2008. For more information about its progress, see the telemicroscopy webpage.