Stock Photo - We've seen devices that let you attach your smartphone to a microscope, but they require you to have access to a microscope in the first place. What if you don't? Well, that's where The MicrobeScope comes in. It's a portable 800x microscope that works with newer iPhones and iPads– or just with the naked eye. The MicrobeScope doesn't use glass slides like a regular microscope. Instead, users place samples directly on its illuminated stage. Its LED light source is powered by two AAA batteries. It also lacks any adjustment knobs – it has a fixed-focus lens, and just the one level of magnification. Needless to say, it might not become standard equipment in any science labs, but could be a lot of fun for kids or curious-minded adults. The device is a very powerful fixed focus instrument capable of viewing sub 1micron features of individual bacteria and other life forms at the physical limits of optical resolution. It works great in the field, in the lab, or at home. The specimen is placed directly on the inverted lens, and the internal AAA size battery powered light source provides the illumination. The 800x magnification achieved by this simple device is unmatched by other small scopes and the phone mount is a game changer because of the ability to share real time video. The zoom features on newer iPhones can increase the magnification capability to 2,000x with near diffraction-limited performance, and one of the best things about using a mobile phone to capture video is that audio notes or narration can be easily added. Our favorite feature with the iPhone 5s is the slow motion capture ability. Many microbes move at very high speeds and slow motion capture enables us to see them do some pretty weird things. For more information on The MicrobeScope and how it was developed, visit it's KickStarter page at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1446839815/the-microbescope and website http://www.microbescope.com from April 20th (2014). Featuring: The MicrobeScope Where: United States When: 13 Apr 2014 Credit: 4D Optical LLC