Posted 09.01.2011 at 2:20 pm
12 Comments
Reflection Imaging of Skin Tissue Using Off-Axis Holography
Myungjun Lee, Oguzhan Yaglidere, and Aydogan Ozcan via Biomedical Express (PDF)
Researchers at UCLA have built a cheap, optics-free holographic microscope capable of detecting bacteria like E. coli in things like water, food, and blood. And by cheap, we mean really cheap. The researchers say it costs less than $100 to build.
The microscope has two ways of analyzing samples: a transmission mode and a reflection mode. The transmission mode is good for transparent media, like thin slices of a sample or clear liquids. In this case, the microscope’s laser can easily penetrate and analyze microscopic objects. For denser, more solid samples the microscope uses holography to generate a 3-D image of the sample that can be beamed to remote computers for further analysis if necessary.
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Science, Clay Dillow, bacteria, e. coli, health, holograms, holography, microscopyBut while that may sound fairly high-tech, there are no expensive optics or other pricey components required. The photo sensors are of the variety often found in smartphones, and small lasers like the one used in the device are really inexpensive these days as well. That all means that these holographic microscopes could be widely deployed at little cost.
And that’s the idea. Places that don’t have access to high-tech diagnostic equipment could use these devices to sample food and water--or even human blood--for harmful bugs and beam the images to more powerful computing devices elsewhere for analysis or diagnosis. That could help contain contaminations and outbreaks faster, saving lives while keeping costs down.
[BBC]
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Howard Hughes would have a love & hate with this machine!
but, will it blend. i think so. let the almighty god of fire blaze thy rains.
_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.
- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri
@JediMindset, Sir, um, well, I think you need to shave you face sir, you seem to be like a bush.
lol. a bush joke. haha haven't heard one in a while. i like your dog. is that a maltese? i have one. they bark alot. i wonder if this has anything to do with my cat...
_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.
- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri
@BubbaGump you do realize your nothing but a f$$$ing troll (I know you know this because dozens of other users have pointed it out to you 2 JUST in this article).
I know you think you are cute, or being cute, and people want to read every single little thought that comes out of your brain, but we dont and guess what. your not nearly as clever as you think you are.
I wish the mods would do something about you.
I didn't know this website is called
BubbaGump's Popsci
out of 1000 users (estimated) you have 10% of ALL comments . you don't think thats a little over kill. branch out a little would you? there is more than one website out there.
most people post a comment a move on. you have to reply to EVERY single comment that you and someone else put then comment 3 more times on it. go back an look. some article you have 30% of EVERY comment posted. honestly you don't think thats a bit much?
Hey popsci admin: I am not going to come here anymore (and I am sure I am not the only one) because you have some extremely annoying users that think they can dominate the message boards with every little thought they think is funny or clever.
@JediMindset,
My little puppy is al about the USA American spirit. It’s half Maltese and half silky terrier. It seems we all come from different places and a complicated past. But in USA, we are of one spirit, A FAMILY!
The picture in the article look like a comparison of the same sample as observed by the new method and by a conventional microscope. It would have been nice if PopSci had captioned the picture accordingly.
Cheap scientific method is definitely in high demard in research. This would be great for hydrology and environmental based research where communities can undertake the testing themselves rather then paying for expensive scientific evaluations.
Anyone got actual more detailed documentation on creation of this imaging device? I seem to have missed it.
Footnote (don't read):
inaka_rob even thought BubbaGump is a bit of a troll voicing opinions all over the place, your comments are even more so trollish not by quantity but by pure unself-aware ignorance, please ignore trolls and keep on topic, that works best.
That is so awesome. So now they can get high powered microscopes to third world countries, as well as indigent areas amidst our own borders.
How many scientific advancements around the world were delayed or left unmade because cheap microscopy prevented the brilliant minds in the poor populations from working their genius? Probably a lot. This is great news for mankind, well done to the team at UCLA! Not only is it cheap, but it can even manage 3-dimensional scans! Heck, I might get one myself!
I agree with Astroboy!!!
_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.
- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri
Mr. JediMindset, well I am traveling and off to Brazil for a stay. I will return. I do travel a lot in my job. I feel very lucky to have such an interesting job. I get to play with gadgets and toys and electronic thingies. I get to do lots of physical stuff as well. I go to places that are unusual too. You have been so nice to me and I really appreciate your comments. Take care, God Bless and I wish all good things happen your way! Bye.