In the Cira Lab, we needed the ability to scan over a 30cm X 30cm area and take images of predetermied locations.
We also wanted the ability to use epifluorescence for some image sets.
I built a stage-mounted imaging system to accomplish this task.
The stage, purchased as a kit from OpenBuilds, was belt driven and controlled using a GRBL controller.
The optical system featured two swappable lenses position which enabled a wide range of magnifications (our setup spanned 0.5x-4.4x).
A collimation arm allowed simple epi-illumination, and filtersets were easily incorporated within a filter cube located between the two lenses.
A schematic of the optical components is featured to the right.
I'll soon be adding some images and videos of the system in motion.
The MATLAB code can be found here.
A more formal write-up on this system is coming soon!
Testing the epi-illumination setup.
Replayed at 30x
Jet Drop Education Activity
Working with the Museum of Science, I helped create a hands-on activity teaching the public about jet drop production and aerosol generation from bubbles.
The activity sought to engage both young museum go-ers as well as their caregivers.
We used everyday items, like soda water and sugar, to make the activity as relatable to the participants as possible.
A typical activity would go something like this:
Welcome!
Today we're doing an experiment about bubbles and drops.
First, can you tell me the difference between a bubble and a drop?
That's right! A bubble is made up of air surrounded by water, while a drop is water surrounded by air.
Next, we’ll use our Soda Stream to add bubbles to the water.
As we pour this water into our cup, tell me what you can see.
Exactly! We have bubbles in our water now.
They are attached to the sides of the cup and sometimes float to the surface and pop.
Now, here I have a little sugar. What do you think will happen when I add the sugar to the water?
Whoa! You were right! There were a bunch of bubbles.
Let's try that again, but this time I want you to hold this lid above the cup after I add the sugar.
Wow! Let's look closer at the lid now.
What do you see there?
...
That's right!
Our lid is covered in tiny little drops.
When we added sugar to our water, the little particles
of sugar created lots of spaces for tiny bubbles to form.
But we noticed that on the lid of our cup, we have
lots of drops. Somehow our tiny bubbles turned
into tiny drops!
Let's try to predict how these bubbles turn to drops.
We have these markers and a white board,
can you try to draw your prediction?
...
Explain to me what you've drawn.
As part of our research, we’ve captured videos for
small and large bursting bubbles. Before I play the
video, make a prediction about which drops will go
higher when the bubble pops - the drops from the
smaller bubble or drops from the bigger bubble?
So why do we care about bubbles and drops?
Lots of reasons! The bubbles and droplets in the soda
affect its taste and smell. And when bubbles pop
and release droplets into the air, they can get
carried into the atmosphere.
Have you ever noticed that you can smell the beach
before you get there? Thats because of tiny ocean
droplets being carried through the air. The salty
droplets from the ocean can also have an effect on
cloud formation, and on the local and global climate.
We ran this activity annually between 2015-2019 at the Museum of Science, generally with good reception.
By understanding how jet drops are formed, we can help to draw connections between this phenomena and their effects in everyday life (i.e. the "fizz" in soda, the smell of the sea).
