A seminar and hands-on workshop titled “Origami Paper Microscope: The Foldscope—Magnifying Curiosity” was held on Tuesday, 10 December 2024, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the Milton Bender Auditorium, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
The session was delivered by Dr. Irfan Ahmad, Professor-cum-Chief Scientist, Department of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), India.
The seminar highlighted the Foldscope, an ultra-affordable and portable paper microscope invented by Prof. Manu Prakash of Stanford University, which has revolutionized access to microscopy worldwide. Capable of achieving 140× magnification with a resolution of 2 microns, the Foldscope demonstrated optical performance comparable to conventional microscopes while remaining durable, lightweight, and low-cost.
As a recipient of Foldscope funding, the Division of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology (FoFy), SKUAST-K, shared its experiences in promoting the use of Foldscope, particularly for field diagnostics in remote and hilly regions. The program comprised a lecture followed by a practical session, during which participants assembled the Foldscope and learned its proper use.
Students also explored the Foldscope’s smartphone compatibility, enabling users to capture and store high-quality microscopic images directly on their mobile devices. The session further emphasized the role of the Foldscope in building a global microcosmos community, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing among educators, researchers, and enthusiasts.
The interactive workshop successfully engaged students, equipping them with practical skills to explore blood cells, bacteria, and single-celled organisms with remarkable clarity, and to apply this innovative tool in diverse academic and research contexts.
