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This Cheap Paper Microscope Lets Anyone Do Science : Short Wave Manu Prakash is the co-inventor of the Foldscope, a low-cost microscope aimed at making scientific tools more accessible. We chat with him about why he wants to change how we think about science, and what it'll take to make science something everyone is able to enjoy. Follow Maddie on Twitter. Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

Short Wave

Foldscope: Science From Curiosity And A Little Paper

Foldscope: Science From Curiosity And A Little Paper

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Manu Prakash, 2016 MacArthur Fellow, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation hide caption

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John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Manu Prakash, 2016 MacArthur Fellow, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Manu Prakash is the co-inventor of the Foldscope, a low-cost microscope aimed at making scientific tools available for everyone. We chat with him about why he wants to change how we think about science, and what it'll take to make science something everyone is able to enjoy.

To learn more about the Foldscope, check out their website. Plus, visit the Prakash lab's website to see what else he and his team have been cooking up.

As always, you can follow Maddie on Twitter — she's @maddie_sofia. Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Rebecca Ramirez and edited by Geoff Brumfiel.