German scientists built a high-resolution microscope out of Lego bricks - ars Technica

^{( July 2, 2021; ars Technica )}

German scientists have built a high resolution microscope out of Lego parts and components salvaged from a mobile phone, according to a recent paper published in The Biophysicist. They found that children who undertook the project—including building their microscopes and conducting several at-home experiments—gained enhanced understanding of how microscopy works. It's part of an ongoing "frugal science" trend: using cheap consumer hardware and open-source software to build low-cost scientific instruments. The DIY tools are perfect for educational environments and for field use in developing countries.

"An understanding of science is crucial for decision-making and brings many benefits in everyday life, such as problem-solving and creativity," said co-author Timo Betz of the University of Göttingen. "Yet we find that many people, even politicians, feel excluded or do not have the opportunities to engage in scientific or critical thinking. We wanted to find a way to nurture natural curiosity, help people grasp fundamental principles, and see the potential of science."

The lenses were scavenged from smartphone cameras.

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