title: Foldscope: origami-based paper microscope.
abstract: Here we describe an ultra-low-cost origami-based approach for large-scale manufacturing of microscopes, specifically demonstrating brightfield, darkfield, and fluorescence microscopes. Merging principles of optical design with origami enables high-volume fabrication of microscopes from 2D media. Flexure mechanisms created via folding enable a flat compact design. Structural loops in folded paper provide kinematic constraints as a means for passive self-alignment. This light, rugged instrument can survive harsh field conditions while providing a diversity of imaging capabilities, thus serving wide-ranging applications for cost-effective, portable microscopes in science and education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cybulski
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010209:Paper