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Overview of Microscopy Techniques

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

EnderScope: a low-cost 3D printer-based scanning microscope for microplastic detection.

Niamh Burke¹, Gesine Müller², Vittorio Saggiomo³

¹School of Medicine, University College Dublin , Dublin, Ireland.

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences

|June 3, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed the EnderScope, a low-cost, automated microscope for detecting microplastics in seawater. This 3D printer-based system offers a scalable solution for environmental monitoring and understanding marine pollution.

Keywords:

3D printing accessible microscopy low-cost microplastic pollution open-hardware

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Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Microscopy
Materials Science

Background:

Marine microplastic pollution is a significant global environmental issue.
Accurate measurement of microplastics is crucial for understanding their impact.
Traditional methods using fluorescence microscopy are labor-intensive and costly.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel, low-cost, and automated microscope for microplastic detection.
To create a scalable technology for widespread environmental monitoring.
To improve the efficiency and accessibility of microplastic analysis.

Main Methods:

Modified a low-cost 3D printer (Creality Ender 3) by replacing the hotend with an optics module.
Utilized the 3D printer's motion system for automated scanning of large sample areas (>20 × 20 cm).
Incorporated low-cost LEDs for illumination and lighting gels as emission filters for both reflected light and fluorescence imaging.

Main Results:

The EnderScope enables automated scanning and detection of microplastics in filtered seawater samples.
The system is capable of both reflected light and fluorescence imaging.
The design prioritizes cost-effectiveness and simplicity, using readily available components.

Conclusions:

The EnderScope presents a cost-effective and scalable solution for microplastic measurement.
This open, reproducible hardware facilitates broader participation in monitoring marine microplastic pollution.
The technology can significantly enhance understanding of the global marine microplastic problem.