EnderScope: A low-cost 3D printer based scanning microscope for microplastic detection

The EnderScope is a novel, low-cost microscope for automated scanning and detection of microplastics in filtered seawater samples. This microscope is based on the mechanics of a low-cost 3D printer (Creality Ender 3). The hotend of the printer is replaced with an optics module, allowing for the reliable and calibrated motion system of the 3D printer to be used for automated scanning over a large area (>20x20 cm). Here we present the optical and mechanical validtion of the EnderScope. Along with data from some proof of concept experiments that show the EnderScope is capable of detecting plastics in environmental seawater samples.

EnderScope是一款新型低成本显微镜，用于自动化扫描并检测经过滤的海水样品中的微塑料。该显微镜基于低成本3D打印机（Creality Ender 3）的机械结构，将打印机的热端组件替换为光学模块，使得3D打印机可靠且经过校准的运动系统可用于大尺寸（>20×20厘米）区域的自动化扫描。本文报道了EnderScope的光学与机械性能验证结果，并附带了部分概念验证实验的数据，结果证实EnderScope可有效检测环境海水样品中的塑料微粒。