How To: Build Your Own Projection Microscope with a Syringe, Laser Pointer, and Drop of Water

Have you ever wondered what sort of microscopic critters are floating around in your water? Well, you can find out with just a few bucks worth of materials and a laser pointer. Really. That's all it takes to build your very own homemade laser projection microscope, aka a water drop projector.

Materials

• Syringe
• Tape
• Laser pointer
• Wall (to project the image onto)
• Stand

Some people have made their stands with styrofoam or wood. As long as it can support a syringe, it should be fine.

Step 1: The Stand

Put your stand together. It should have a steady base and extend high enough to hold an upright syringe.

Then, tape or otherwise secure the syringe to your stand, pointing downwards. Make sure to leave enough room for your laser pointer below. You will be shining the laser through a drop of water that will be suspended from the bottom of the needle, so construct accordingly.

Here's a more elaborate version:

Step 2: The Syringe

Fill the syringe up with some dirty water.

The dirtier the water, the cooler the final effect will look. Then, very slowly press the top until a drop of water is hanging from the tip.

Step 3: The Laser

Finally, shine your laser pointer through the water at a blank wall. Adjust the needle and laser so that they are close together as possible, with the laser centered on the water droplet. Adjust the setup until it projects a large image.

The things you see moving about are actually tiny organisms living in the water!

For an example of the laser microscope in action, check out the video below. As you can probably tell, either a green or red laser will work.

An optional final step would be to find a cat to amaze with this science trick.

The website of the original creator, Teravolt, no longer works, but you can read up on a few of his quick notes here. For a more elaborate version inspired by Teravolt's original build, check out Sean Michael Ragan's DIY laser projection microscope.