New Collaboration Model
Since the pandemic, combined with algorithm changes, the number of people registering for tools and those who actually fill out forms seems to be much lower than before. Those signing up for collaborations no longer need to compete like in the past. Although the collaboration numbers over the past six months haven't decreased significantly, there's a feeling of 'small but beautiful,' which is quite pleasant. We often start giving out gifts around 2 PM!
Polarization Module and Rock Thin Sections
After self-introductions at noon, I met a community member with a geology background and asked many questions about observing rock thin sections with polarized light, the academic process of rock identification in geology, the meaning of polarization colors, and understanding the interference chart (Michel-Lévy color chart). Finally, I understood the practical application of the notches designed by Teacher Jiang on the phone microscope's polarization module. I now have a better understanding of polarization applications!
Michel-Lévy interference colour chart (ZEISS Microscopy, 2015)
Polarimeter
Following the discussion about the polarization module, we somehow ended up talking about the 'polarimeter.' I received it some time ago but never had time to use it, and I wasn't clear about its usage methods and purpose. Now that I understand the purpose of the angle notches on the polarization module, I'll have a better concept when using the polarimeter later. I need to find time to film the polarimeter assembly process.
Polarimeter
First Collaboration This Month
The main collaboration content was assembling the black knobs for the phone microscope and helping with tapping the upper plate. The rest was eating, drinking, and having pleasant conversations. Because it had been so long since I made black knobs, the tape kept sticking poorly, and I had to redo it many times. I hope everyone received smooth black knobs in the end. When tapping, Teacher Jiang used a 90-degree square block to make a tapping aid, so the tapping wouldn't go crooked. I'm really impressed by the teacher's application and creativity!
Today we had delicious pineapple and received mysterious little gifts with Zeiss lenses
Fixed the Mobile Phone Microscope!
Another tool unfortunately fell into the washing machine. Last time it was the phone macro lens, which only had weakened adhesive that could be fixed. This time the mobile phone microscope fell in, and the parts actually disappeared after washing! I only found the lens by accident. During free time, I asked Teacher Jiang to repair it, and the teacher directly gave me a new one. That evening I used it to photograph the iPhone screen, and the results were excellent!
Using 'Mobile Phone Microscope' to photograph iPhone 14 screen
Using 'Phone Microscope (Upright)' to photograph iPhone 14 screen
Second Collaboration This Month
This week's collaboration was slightly more tiring than last week. Besides handling more collaboration tasks, we also brought the carbon dioxide cylinder to Sister Sarah (goodbye, beloved carbon dioxide cylinder!). We did some preparatory work for vacuum devices, helped attach auxiliary pieces to the mobile phone microscope, packaged phone microscope materials, and prepared for shipping.
Taiwan Date Palm Slides
During casual conversation at the second collaboration, we happened to mention going back to our alma mater to share about phone microscopes. Teacher Qiu generously provided Taiwan date palm slides and polarizing films for promotional teaching use. The students were quite amazed when observing them. We're very grateful to Teacher Qiu for providing such excellent teaching materials.
References
ZEISS Microscopy (2015) Michel-Lévy interference colour chart issued by Zeiss Microscopy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_colour_chart#/media/File:Michel-L%C3%A9vy_interference_colour_chart_(21257606712).jpg (accessed 2023/04/23)