IBM Researcher Makes a Microscope Using LEGO, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi

IBM Research engineer Yuksel Temiz has developed an open source microscope around a Raspberry Pi, Arduinos, and a LEGO frame. The design came about as a need to replace an expensive and sizeable macro lens imager platform with something much cheaper and more comfortable use. The latest prototype microscope rig uses readily available off-the-shelf hardware that can be had for under $300, making it affordable.

On the hardware end, the microscope is equipped with a Raspberry Pi and an 8MP camera to capture images and video. At the same time, the Arduino drives six stepper motors and a high-power LED for illumination. The microscope’s main body is constructed entirely out of LEGO bricks, and 3D-printed gears, for a modular and easy to use design, and features an HDMI display for easy viewing. What’s more, all functions can be controlled using a keyboard connected to the Pi, or a separate custom-built Arduino joystick.

The microscope is fully motorized, including camera angle, sample position, magnification, and focus. Stages and modules can be easily swapped out depending on the application, and the LED provides high-quality imaging for a myriad of samples with either reflective or transparent surfaces. The microscope also offers a wide magnification range from several centimeters to several micrometers without changing the objective lens.

Temiz has shared a detailed walkthrough on GitHub of how the microscope is assembled with all the files needed for the 3D-printed parts and schematics for the electronics.