Why did the germ cross under the microscope? To get to the other slide. If that joke elicits the slightest chuckle, chances are you belong to a subsection of the population known as the “science geek”. But, fear not, new technology may be pushing the science geek into the mainstream. Not since the heyday of Bill Nye have microscopes gotten this much play.
Designed for the common man, the Veho VMS-001 Microscope (pictured) takes on an attribute common to nearly every new gadget these days – it plugs into a USB drive. Not only does this provide a means of powering the microscope, but it also enables individuals to record findings as either photos or videos on a computer. This sleek little scope (which actually somewhat resembles an old-fashioned microphone) could create a new breed of home scientists, allowing individuals to zoom in on all sorts of objects with magnification from 20x to 200x. The Veho can be positioned on an included stand for standard use or held like a pen for on-site analysis. It also includes an internal white LED to illuminate objects for optimal investigation. And, after collecting all the data you need, individuals can scrutinize the information on a PC or maybe even create a slideshow of images to present findings to uninterested family members. The Veho VMS-001 Microscope is currently available for purchase from Firebox.com for $99.95.
Another microscope looking to bring high-resolution magnification into the mainstream comes from Aven, a maker of precision tools and optical systems for industrial, scientific and research applications for over 20 years. Like the Veho, the Aven Mighty Scope plugs into the USB of a laptop and provides digital microscoping at your fingertips. But Aven is targeting slightly more professional audiences with their microscope. They note the innovative gadget is ideal for parts inspectors to perform on-the-spot assessments of conformal coatings, welds, solder joints, and flux and hairline stress cracks. Other fields Aven believes the device may come in handy for include: dermatology, crime labs, electronic assembly or repair, educational research and jewelry appraisal. A microtouch shutter button enables individuals to take pictures of scoped images without touching a computer, and active pixel sensor technology provides sharp images and accurate color reproduction. The Mighty Scope also features an ergonomic design for comfortable use with either hand. This durable, portable microscope is available for purchase in two different digital models (with price tags of $199.00 and $249.00) from the Aven Web site.
With products like the new Veho and Aven microscopes, a gadget once reserved for classrooms and labs has been reinvented for more common, everyday use. This is just the latest indicator of geek culture absorbing into the mainstream through modern technology. It is a phenomenom unlike anything geeks have seen since Woody Allen became a sex symbol in the late 70s. Still, it hasn’t quite made science geeks a thing of the past. Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), located in Boulder, Colo., developed an invention called a through-focus scanning optical microscope (or TSOM) that enables fast and cheap nanoscale imaging. While that’s quite an accomplishment, much like the slide joke, it probably won't be of much interest to anyone outside the science field. And the geek lives on...
