Building a microscope from a smartphone - it's that easy
If you want to use your smartphone or tablet as a simple microscope, a simple physical trick will help. So you can take a closer look at handy and small objects and their structure or even take microphotographs.
Perplexed? The physicist and author Philip Häusser explains this and many other physics tricks on his YouTube channel.
How to build a microscope from a smartphone
Smartphones can do a lot by default. In addition, there are numerous technical extensions, apps and gadgets - especially for the camera. With a simple trick, you can even use your cell phone as a microscope. In addition to a water-protected smartphone or tablet with a front camera, you only need a drop of water.
- Place the device horizontally on the table. The front is facing up. Place a drop of water directly on the lens of the front camera. You can either pick up and place the drop of water with your fingertip, a straw or a rolled-up piece of paper.
- The drop must completely cover the lens so that the camera lens can be seen in the center under the drop. Turn on the smartphone or tablet and activate the front camera.
- Hold the object to be viewed over the front camera and immediately above the water drop. You can now see the object clearly enlarged on the screen and take a picture of it if necessary.
- The drop of water serves as a second lens. Objects that would otherwise be displayed out of focus due to the close proximity to the camera lens are shown sharply with this second lens.
- Alternatively, you can also use a microscope with an app. The "Magnifier + Microscope" app can be found in the Playstore and can be installed free of charge. The app actually shows a greatly enlarged picture. Every movement, however small, blurs the motif. Generally there is a clearly visible image noise.
- Microscope adapters are also available for purchase. These can be attached to the smartphone so that the camera can enlarge pictures.
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