Adapting the 3D-printed Openflexure microscope enables computational super-resolution imaging

Grant, Stephen D.; Cairns, Gemma S.; Wistuba, Jordan; Patton, Brian

doi:10.12688/f1000research.21294.1

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Technology to measure PSDs already partially exists in the form of laser diffraction 32 , flow cytometers 34 , flow cytobot 44 , flow cam 7 , holographic cameras 45 , other underwater imaging 31 , 46 , with combinations of these required to cover the full range of relevant sizes 1 , 9 . There are promising techniques emerging to determine real refractive indices from flow cytometry 34 and microscopic imaging 47 , 48 . There is also scope to establish imaginary refractive indices for large particles such as Calanus spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hidden influence of large particles on ocean colour

Davies

Basedow²,

McKee³

2021

Sci Rep

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Optical constituents in the ocean are often categorized as water, phytoplankton, sediments and dissolved matter. However, the optical properties of seawater are influenced, to some degree, by scattering and absorption by all particles in the water column. Here we assess the relevant size ranges for determining the optical properties of the ocean. We present a theoretical basis supporting the hypothesis that millimetre-size particles, including zooplankton and fish eggs, can provide a significant contribution to bulk absorption and scattering of seawater and therefore ocean color. Further, we demonstrate that existing in situ instruments are not capable of correctly resolving the impact of such large particles, possibly leading to their optical significance being overlooked. These findings refresh our perspective on the potential of ocean color and invite new applications of remote sensing for monitoring life close to the ocean surface.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hidden influence of large particles on ocean colour

Davies

Basedow²,

McKee³

2021

Sci Rep

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“…Co-development of a project such as this shows the potential of open-source 3D printing projects where geographical boundaries no longer limit scientists from lowincome countries to access better resources, improving their research freedom (2). The OpenFlexure project has also been combined with SRRF (43) for super-resolution applications (44). Another example of a 3D printed microscope with superresolution capacity is the Chea(i)p, a self-contained superresolution microscope that uses a commercial objective and a mobile phone, and costs less than C800.…”

Section: D Printed Microscopy Projectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Field Guide to 3D Printing in Microscopy

Rosario¹,

Heil²,

Mendes³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The maker movement has reached the optics labs, empowering researchers to actively create and modify microscope designs and imaging accessories. 3D printing has especially had a disruptive impact on the field, as it entails an accessible new approach in fabrication technologies, namely additive manufacturing, making prototyping in the lab available at low cost. Examples of this trend are taking advantage of the easy availability of 3D printing technology. For example, inexpensive microscopes for education have been designed, such as the FlyPi. Also, the highly complex robotic microscope OpenFlexure represents a clear desire for the democratisation of this technology. 3D printing facilitates new and powerful approaches to science and promotes collaboration between researchers, as 3D designs are easily shared. This holds the unique possibility to extend the open-access concept from knowledge to technology, allowing researchers from everywhere to use and extend model structures. Here we present a review of additive manufacturing applications in microscopy, guiding the user through this new and exciting technology and providing a starting point to anyone willing to employ this versatile and powerful new tool.

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“…As an open source hardware project, the microscope has been used on every continent in environments from rainforest to the Antarctic ice. It has also been modified by other research laboratories for advanced scientific applications such as super-resolution imaging [3]. The OFM forms part of the larger OpenFlexure project which focuses on using low-cost 3D printers for highly-precise positioning mechanisms by designing novel monolithic flexure stages [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The OpenFlexure Project. The technical challenges of Co-Developing a microscope in the UK and Tanzania

Stirling

Sanga²,

Nyakyi³

et al. 2020

2020 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)

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The OpenFlexure Microscope is a 3D-printed laboratory-grade motorised microscope. Over the past 3 years, the microscope has primarily been co-developed between the University of Bath and the Tanzanian engineering company STICLab. We are beginning the process of preparing the microscope for medical certification, as an in-vitro diagnostic device. In this paper we detail the technical challenges of remote design of a complex scientific instrument. We believe that identifying and solving these issues is essential if we are to encourage research organisations in the Global North to design instrumentation with Africans, rather than "for Africa".

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Adapting the 3D-printed Openflexure microscope enables computational super-resolution imaging

Cited by 20 publications

References 8 publications

The hidden influence of large particles on ocean colour

The hidden influence of large particles on ocean colour

The Field Guide to 3D Printing in Microscopy

The OpenFlexure Project. The technical challenges of Co-Developing a microscope in the UK and Tanzania

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