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Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy

Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy

Optical microscopy uses optic principles to provide detailed images of samples. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek designed the first compound optical microscope in the 17th century to visualize blood cells, bacteria, and yeast cells. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes with enhanced magnification and resolution.
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices

Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices

Published on: January 25, 2021

3D Printing a Low-Cost Miniature Accommodating Optical Microscope.

Rihan Hai¹, Guangbin Shao¹, Henry Oliver T Ware¹

¹Mechanical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|January 10, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a 3D-printed, penny-sized accommodating optical microscope. This innovative approach simplifies assembly and reduces costs for miniaturized imaging systems.

Keywords:

3D printing additive manufacturing low cost microcontinuous liquid interface production miniature accommodating optical microscopes optical imaging systems

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Last Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices

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Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Mechanical Engineering
Additive Manufacturing

Background:

Miniaturization of optical imaging systems has advanced significantly.
Challenges persist in manufacturing and assembling compatible optomechanical components for small-scale systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To report the use of 3D printing for digitalized optomechanical component manufacturing.
To enable part-count reduction design and passive alignment features for easier assembly.
To develop a cost-effective, customizable, penny-sized accommodating optical microscope.

Main Methods:

3D printing of key optomechanical components for a penny-sized microscope.
Incorporation of a voice-coil motor for accommodating focus adjustment.
Utilizing focus-stacking for extended depth of field.

Main Results:

3D printing of microscope components completed in 50 minutes at a low unit cost of approximately $4.
Validated accommodating capability for focusing on specimens at varying distances.
Demonstrated extended depth of field through focus-stacking functionality.

Conclusions:

3D printing offers a viable solution for manufacturing miniaturized optomechanical components.
The developed microscope is cost-effective, rapidly manufactured, and customizable.
This technology facilitates the creation of task-specific optical imaging systems.