Adapter made from household trash captures microscopic images using smartphone

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The Micro-Hoek project seeks to provide an economical option for the study of microbiology in educational establishments.

A technological, innovative and low-cost solution that seeks to bring microbiology closer to educational establishments in the Coquimbo Region. This is how its creators define Micro-Hoek, the specialized technician from the University of La Serena, Edgardo Mundaca, and the professor of Biology and Natural Sciences, Mariano Rodríguez, who, using electronic and household waste, developed a smartphone adapter that allows capturing images microscopic.

microhoek2Mariano Rodríguez, co-creator of the adapter, stated that the important thing about this project is to be able to contribute to the teaching of science at all educational levels. “The initial idea is that the student makes his own sample and can photograph microscopic images, because being able to do your own preparation in situ is very beneficial for learning science,” he said.

For his part, Edgardo Mundaca referred to the impact that Micro-Hoek has generated, even being used in countries such as Colombia, Mexico and Argentina. “I am very surprised by the reception of this project, the results it has obtained have been quite positive, even reaching an international level, where we have received positive criticism from school and university level teachers,” he clarified.

In order to bring this important work closer to the community, the official launch of Micro-Hoek was held in the Pentagon Hall of the University of La Serena, an activity that was attended by authorities from the institution, headed by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, in addition to a large number of students and teachers from different schools in the region.

microhoek3The Rector of the ULS indicated that this is a very important project that will bring the study of science closer to children and young people in a didactic way. "Our task as a state university in the region is to help convey the image that science can be taught in a didactic way through the significant learning that is obtained from experimentation and real contact with the object to be studied," stated the highest university authority, who valued the work carried out by the Micro-Hoek team.

Manual for its construction

Micro-Hoek is a project funded by the Research and Development Directorate of the University of La Serena and currently there is a free construction manual, which describes the materials and steps to follow for its preparation, which is available here 

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Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom