Microscope magic: Edmonton student inventor wins national acclaim

Kamil Ahmed has an inventor's eye.

The 13-year-old Edmonton boy has created a portable microscope that attaches to any smartphone.

Ahmed uses his invention to examine slides of hair, insect parts and other specimens, but believes his invention could have broad applications in the medical and scientific fields.

"Most people have cell phones in their pockets, which is a huge advantage, and I tried to take a medical approach to it," Ahmed said in an interview with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

"It's a microscope that can attach to any cellphone. Instead of having a whole group of scientists, of doctors, using a heavy, bulky microscope, one person — not even a scientist or doctor — can use the device and examine a specimen."

The science on-the-go invention consists of a tube with a black lining, a clip and a tiny lens.  The attached lens provides powerful magnification when working in conjunction with with the phone's built-in camera.

Tiny insect legs become massive fuzzy tree branches. Microscopic shavings of wood become large, illuminated maps.

Not only is the contraption portable, it's cost-effective. Most of the parts, Ahmed said, with the exception of the imported lens, came from the aisles of Home Depot.

"Compared to a $1,000 microscope, this one only cost around fifteen dollars to actually make and it can magnify up to 100 times."

'Just think about it'

A Grade 8 student at at the Edmonton Islamic Academy, Ahmed came up with the idea last year. Since then, his prototype has earned him provincial and national acclaim.

He won gold in the junior division at the Edmonton regional science fair. At the same event he also won a Grand award, which earned him the right to compete at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Montreal. There he won another award from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science.

His latest nod from the scientific community came Oct. 28, when he presented his design during the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership (ASTech) Foundation's Next Gen Innovators Showcase.

His presentation garnered the most tweets, likes and shares on YouTube of all the exhibitors, earning him a $250 Fan Favourite award.

After all the accolades, Ahmed remains quietly optimistic about the future of his invention.

"I don't have anything big planned right now, but I hope there will be other opportunities in the future," he said.

"Almost 62 per cent of the whole world has cellphones in their pockets. Just think about it."