Manu Prakash and some of his students have come up with a great idea to help make microscopes more accessible to students and people in developing countries. Their origami based microscope is estimated to cost about 50 cents each, and can be assembled by anyone and easily carried into the field where a normal microscope cannot easily go.
This idea was inspired by the fact that there are still 1 million people that are killed every year by microorganisms and a billion people at risk of this happening as well. All because they either do not have access to a microscope or the skills needed to operate one. Without them, they are unable to see the microorganisms that might be making them sick.
This fact inspired them to create the Foldscope which is incredibly durable and can be carried anywhere. Multiple scopes can be carried that have different viewing strengths and are designed for viewing different things.
The goal of the Foldscope is to educate people all around the world about the use of microscopes and how they can help them explore the world that is too small for the eye to see.
While these microscopes are not being marketed and sold yet, there is a program being offered that is looking for 10,000 people to try them out. Here is the link: 10,000 Micrsoscope Beta Tester Sign Up
Here is the link to the website: Foldscope Website
TED Talk with Manu Prakash: A 50 Cent Microscope that Folds Like Origami
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