Baking Microscope Lenses

Apr-25-14 A new method of creating microscope lenses by baking them in the oven is not only simpler than the conventional methods, but is also extremely affordable.

Typically, lenses for microscopes are made by grinding glass discs or by molding polymers, and both techniques are complicated. The new method of baking the lenses, created by Dr. Steve Lee, takes some of the complexity of out the process—and the lenses can be made at a cost of only one cent.

To create the lens, Smith first baked a drop of a gel-like polymer on a glass slide to form the base of the lens. He then placed another drop on top of the first, then returned the slide to the over and flipped it over. Flipping the slide causes the gel to hang down in a droplet as it bakes, forming a parabolic shape. More layers of gel can be added on top of the droplet after it has hardened until the desired lens shape is achieved.

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