“Researchers have designed and built the world’s first microscope made entirely from 3D-printed parts. And because the open-source plans are already available online, almost anyone can assemble their own for barely $60.
A few years ago, researchers at the University of Bath and University of Cambridge started the OpenFlexure project offering open-source blueprints for 3D-printed microscopes. With its core development group now based at the University of Glasgow, OpenFlexure microscopes have been assembled in over 50 countries around the world, as well as at laboratories in Antarctica. While much cheaper than standard equipment, there was a caveat: a microscope’s specially crafted glass lenses often cost hundreds of dollars, putting the tools out of many people’s price range. Recently, however, a team at the University of Strathclyde developed a workaround they say both lowers the OpenFlexure design’s total cost, and makes it the first completely 3D-printed microscope.”
From 3DPrint.com.