Foldscope: The One-Dollar Microscope that Changed Global Science

Discover how Manu Prakash and Jim Cybulski invented Foldscope, a paper-based microscope that costs less than one dollar. Learn why this simple tool is helping students, teachers, and researchers worldwide.

Foldscope: A Microscope for Everyone

Foldscope was created by Manu Prakash and Jim Cybulski at Stanford University.

The idea was born when Jim, a PhD student in Manu’s lab, saw a recurring problem in field stations:

• Expensive microscopes were often broken.
• In many places, microscopes were missing completely.
• Scientific work stalled because of bulky, fragile equipment.

They asked a bold question:

“What is the best microscope you can build for under $1 in parts?”

Why Paper?

The first sketches were made on paper. That simple act revealed the answer.

Paper is:

• Inexpensive and available everywhere.
• Easy to fold into precise shapes.
• Strong enough to hold optical parts.

By folding paper into specific designs, they created a working microscope that fit into a pocket.

The Birth of Foldscope

• Foldscope is made mostly of paper.
• It costs less than one U.S. dollar in parts.
• It delivers powerful magnification for science, medicine, and education.

This invention opened a door. Suddenly, children in remote schools, health workers in villages, and researchers on tight budgets could all hold a microscope in their hands.

Why Does Foldscope Matter for You?

• If you’re a teacher, you can bring real science into your classroom for almost no cost.
• If you’re a student, you can carry a microscope in your pocket and explore the hidden world around you.
• If you work in healthcare or field research, you can make quick, on-the-spot observations without heavy lab gear.

What discoveries could you make if a microscope cost less than your morning tea?

Foldscope, invented by Manu Prakash and Jim Cybulski at Stanford, is a foldable paper microscope that costs under $1. Inspired by the lack of affordable microscopes in field stations, they used paper to design a simple yet powerful tool. Foldscope is now used worldwide by students, teachers, and researchers, making science more accessible than ever.