Applications and Implications

For this assignments, we were asked a set of questions about the final project and here are the answers to them.

What will it do?

This device will be an open-source and fabricatable pixel-shifting digital microscope. What does this mean is that the microscope will shift the optical sensor (camera) to acquire sequential images of a specimen and then stitch them all together to create a high-resolution image.

Who's done what beforehand?

This project is in fact an attempt to replicate the work done in a paper titled"A portable low-cost long-term live-cell imaging platform for biomedical research and education".
I couldn't get in touch with the team to get the source files to do this so I decided to make it myself.

What materials and components will be required?

  • 2x NEMA-17 Stepper Motor:To control the X and Y Axises.
  • Arduino Uno:To control the motors.
  • GRBL Shield:To translate G-code into movement.
  • Power Supply
  • Raspberry Pi + Camera Board:To capture the images and control the system
  • Eye-piece lens and objective lens
  • Aluminum Shafts, lead screw, couplers and bearings:To create the mechanics of the machine.

Where will they come from?

The idea here is to use components found in most local markets. So I'll be using components commonly used in CNC machines.

How much will it cost?

It will cost approximately 1500 EGP (about $170).

What parts and systems will be made?

The housing of the components will be made using plywood and/or 3D printed. Also the drivers will probably be made into a PCB.

What processes will be used?

  1. Design the machine
  2. Fabricate the housing and assemble the mechanical parts
  3. Test the movements using the GRBL shield
  4. Develop a board to control the mechanics using the stable settings found by using GRBL.
  5. Test the optics and the image stitching
  6. develop web interface to interface with the system
  7. Test the system with various specimens.

What tasks need to be completed?

  • Test various settings for stepping to adjust for image stitching
  • Build a more structurally stable design
  • Optimize the tool-chain to run on Raspberry Pi
  • Develop the web interface

What questions need to be answered?

  • What are the possible applications for this device other than inspection of biological samples?
  • What the potential users need from such system?

What is the schedule?

As I have finished most of the device then the rest of the work will be focused on creating the web interface and convert it into a kit

  • 1 June: Finalize the tool-chain to run on the Raspberry Pi and test the optics
  • 8 June: Design the web interface and the PCBs
  • 14 June: Design the kit

How will it be evaluated?

  • The quality of stitched images.
  • How easy is it to assemble the kit and operate it.

Mohamed Abuelhagag