Caltech Shows Off a Lensless, Miniaturized Microscope 110
DeviceGuru writes "Caltech claims its researchers have 'turned science fiction into reality' with their development of a single-chip microscope. Although it doesn't have any lenses, the device is said to provide magnification comparable to that of sophisticated optical microscopes. The microscope's magnifying capabilities derive from a technology known as microfluidics, which is based on the channeling of fluid flow at incredibly small scales. Applications for the so-called 'optofluidic microscope' are expected to include field analysis of blood samples for malaria, or checking water supplies for giardia and other pathogens. The project's director thinks devices based on it could be implanted directly into the human body, in order to help arrest the spread of cancer." There's also coverage of the microscope at EE Times.
In other news (Score:1, Funny)
Ornithopters now the prefered way to travel, as sandworms tend to lead to sunburns, rashes and sand blown hair.
The voice is still being perfected.
Washington Quarter Noses (Score:4, Funny)
How many Washington quarter noses will fit in a Library of Congress?
Could they have just used millimeters?
Stopping cancer... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Practical Applications (Score:5, Funny)
They're trying to turn your own body into a police state, you just let them go after the "rogue" cancer cells, but then it will be the normal cancer cells, and then they'll start profiling against any minority cell, and soon enough every cell will be living in fear of their screening chip overlords.
Re:Stopping cancer... (Score:3, Funny)
Well, it's quantum cancer: Observing it forces it out of its metastable state and destroys it.
Would it be... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Practical Applications (Score:5, Funny)
hmm but if they also go after excess fat cells I just might make a deal.
Re:Would it be... (Score:3, Funny)
Wouldn't that be a picoscope?
Re:Incorrect size comparison (Score:1, Funny)
No, it's one of the newer US quarters. About 7/8" (22.2mm) in diameter.
=Smidge=
If it one of the new quarters then why does it have "One Dime" written on it? I can foresee great problems with the new coins if this is the case :)
Re:Washington Quarter Noses (Score:2, Funny)
You know what's also an instantly relatable unit?
Centimeters!
Oh, and by the way:
I live in Germany you insensitive clod!
Fine, we could also publish the size in units of Weisswurst.
Re:Argh (Score:5, Funny)
It's "Caltech", not "Cal Tech".
Yes, exactly. I'm an alumnus. Often when I say, "it's Caltech, not Cal Tech," people look at me funny. By way of explanation, I carry on, "it's a private institution, not part of the UC system." If they continue to have crossed eyes, then, "look, Berkley is Cal Berkley because it's really the University of California at Berkley, Davis is Cal Davis because it's the University of California at Davis, and the same is true for for UCLA, UCSF, UC Irvine, UCSB, etc., but Caltech is the California Institute of Technology, not part of the UC system." By this time, they've either walked away, or have written me off as a total loon, but the point has been made: Caltech, not Cal Tech.
Slashdot editors, please take note.
It's Berkeley, not Berkley.
Re:Practical Applications (Score:3, Funny)