DIPLE - the REVOLUTIONARY microscope for any smartphone
Created by SMO SmartMicroOptics
Explore the microscopic world around you with the most powerful, compact and easy-to use microscope for any smartphone or tablet!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Update 2 - Work in progress
about 6 years ago
– Fri, Feb 21, 2020 at 04:58:40 PM
Dear Backers,
Here the second update about the progresses on DIPLE
The product development is following a normal route; the main issues are related to the engineering of the fine stage and of DIPLE Lux. We are working on these elements for turning the working prototypes into products for mass production. Mainly, this means that we are replacing some components custom designed, with readily available commercial parts. This work made now will ensure a faster pace during the mass production; moreover, we’ll have many more accessible suppliers, reducing the risk of bottlenecks.
We are evaluating in these days to add a rigid plastic cap (not only a rigid structure for the bottom part of the box, for which we have already ordered the mold fabrication, as anticipated in the previous update). We’ll make some tests before taking a final decision; however, this step is not crucial, and it takes short time.
We have experienced some delays from our Chinese partners/suppliers due to the stops related to the new Coronavirus. We have a good partnership, established many months ago, with a Chinese company for the assembling of the stages and for the components harvesting. A trip there, scheduled for the end of February, has been postponed; however, the tight relationship with our partners ensures a smooth proceeding of the job.
Many suppliers have already been selected.
We have started the manufacturing of the lenses that will be lodged in the metallic tiles last week (we make them in our headquarters).
Lenses from the first batch of production in SMO
The work keeps moving and, right now, we have not real reasons to delay the estimate dates for starting the shipments.
About applications of DIPLE, we are proud to announce that:
1. a prototype of DIPLE will be used in a project between the 'L. Sacco' Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences of the University of Milan and the Duke University (US), starting in Madagascar during next March. 2. A scientific paper has been accepted for publication on the journal Microscopy Research and Technique about tests on histological glasses (from doctors of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice). 3. A short video with DIPLE will be presented during the next European congress of Urology.
Moreover, we have been contacted by many medical doctors and veterinaries, giving us very useful tips for improving the product.
Thanks for your support!
The DIPLE team
DIPLE update - One month after the end of the campaign
about 6 years ago
– Fri, Jan 17, 2020 at 02:41:05 AM
Dear Backers,
It's been a very busy month since the end of the KS campaign! Everything is going as scheduled; moreover, we've decided to follow the suggestions from some of you; your feedback has been very important to make some changes in the product design.
Here are some of the latest updates:
The internal part of the drawer box will be made of plastic, by injection molding. In this tray we have added some features, following the advice from some of our beta-testers (for example from the recent review on Technabob of one prototype); there are mechanical stops for the stage and for the components.The mold will be ready by the end of Febraury.
We have re-designed the X-Y Fine stage, too. We found some little bugs in the previous prototypes and we fixed them. Moreover, during the campaign we got requests to use DIPLE with "non-standard" glass slides for many different applications; therefore, we have decided that now is the right moment to apply these changes, to offer a system with a real wide range of uses.
More and more tests!
With our prototypes we keep on testing the performance of the system on different samples. We upload our shoots mainly on our Instagram page.
We have selected Backerkit as partner for the service of survey and add-ons management. You will be given the chance to supplement your pre-order with add-ons at a very special price for Kickstarter backers only. We'll send you the survey by email during next Spring.
Stay tuned!
Thank you,
The DIPLE team
The DIPLE Kickstarter campaign is over, but there is MORE :-)
over 6 years ago
– Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 02:16:47 PM
Dear Backers,
thanks a lot for your help and support!
It has been a great ride and we smashed our goal by more than five times!
Our Kickstarter campaign is over, but you will still be able to preorder DIPLE from INDIEGOGO InDemand:-)
Now we are working hard to refine our prototypes and set up the production. We'll apply some changes suggested from you and based on feedback from our beta testers and reviewers.
When we'll be ready to ship your rewards we'll send a survey asking for shipping addresses. During this survey you will be able to order further pieces, add-ons and accessories!
We will update you on production progresses and novelties, so... stay tuned!
Thanks again and have a great day!
- The Elegant and Unique Touch of Bamboo
- The Naturally Cool Way to Work
- Ergonomic and Endothermic
- Wireless 2-in-1
- Touching Nature, Saving the Planet
COLLABORATIONS and SLIDES
over 6 years ago
– Sun, Dec 08, 2019 at 02:05:56 PM
Dear Backers,
What a ride! A truly thrilling experience. We have 9 more days to go and thanks to you, the campaign has been a great success.
We have received many useful suggestions of possible uses of DIPLE and proposals for SCIENTIFIC and COMMERCIAL COLLABORATIONS during the campaign. This is indeed theextrapart of what we looked for before starting the Kickstarter campaign.Any other new suggestion or proposal is extremely appreciated.
About scientific collaborations, we are proud to share a couple of images taken with one DIPLE prototype from Dr. G. Pagani, one of our beta-testers from the Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the Sacco Hospital in Milan. With DIPLE, he was able to find Trypanosoma brucei, the agent of the sleeping sickness in a smear of blood, as well as the nuclei of leukocytes from the blood of patients that had a thick drop positive for Plasmodium falciparum (malaria).
Left pic: Trypanosoma brucei, the agent of the sleeping sickness, in a smear of blood - Right pic: Nuclei of leukocytes from blood positive for Plasmodium falciparum (malaria)
WHAT CAN YOU SEE WITH DIPLE?
Below, there are some pics of prepared slides taken recently. After the crowdfunding campaign is over, we'll also OFFER SETS OF ALREADY PREPARED SLIDES with different subjects and set-ups (Histology, Zoology and Botany, plus Mixed Sets). These slide-sets will be offered as addon in a showcase during the survey, when we'll collect also the shipping addresses.
We will also provide tips for seeing the micro-organisms around us, starting from plain glass slides: Tardigrades, rotifers, nematodes... Keep following us!
From Left to Right: Paramecium - Flea - Volvox
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT and HELP US IN SPREADING THE WORD!
The SMO TEAM
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DIPLE LUX is now available!
over 6 years ago
– Tue, Dec 03, 2019 at 01:14:44 AM
Hi everyone,
You are all awesome! We have already hit the 100.000€ funding goal which means the DIPLE LUX stretch goal is unlocked and you can now buy it.
As a reminder, DIPLE LUX is a new objective plus an external light source, specifically designed to work on opaque samples to observe the tiniest details of their surfaces.
If you would like to get hold of DIPLE LUX, we have added three pledge levels for you to choose from. If you want to change your pledge to DIPLE LUX, you can manage this through Kickstarter - you can find instructions here. If you want DIPLE LUX as an add-on, please add the amount to your pledge and we will confirm your final order at the end of the campaign.
DIPLE LUX rewards
1x DIPLE LUX at 34€
1x DIPLE RED & GREY & FINE stage LUX at 113€
1x DIPLE BLACK & FINE stage LUX at 141€
If you have any questions about DIPLE LUX or how to change your pledge please let us know.
