PENCROSCOPE - A Pen-Sized Digital Microscope

What it does

The Pencroscope is a wireless, pen-sized digital microscope that lets anyone explore the microscopic world. Made to solve the lack of access to lab equipment, it brings science closer to students and communities—making learning more accessible and inspiring.

Your inspiration

In many public schools in the Philippines, students learn about cells and microbes from textbooks alone as I experienced which never seeing them in real life. I saw this firsthand growing up, where microscopes were either broken, shared by hundreds, or never available. It made science feel distant and unreachable. I wanted to change that. The idea for the Pencroscope came from a simple wish: to give every student, no matter where they are, the chance to explore the microscopic world with their own eyes. Because curiosity shouldn’t be limited by lack of resources—and every child deserves to see what they’re learning.

How it works

The Pencroscope works like a digital microscope, but it’s small enough to hold like a pen and works wirelessly. Inside the device is a high-resolution camera sensor placed behind a powerful lens that can magnify objects up to 400 times. When you point the tip of the Pencroscope at a specimen—like a drop of water or a leaf cell then it captures a live, close-up image. This image is sent wirelessly to a phone, tablet, or computer screen in real time. The attachable LED light near the lens helps illuminate the object clearly, even in dim lighting. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery and uses wireless charging technology, so no cords are needed. Because of its compact scale, it is perfect for quick observations on the go. With just a simple connection and one tap, users can explore the tiny world around them, making science more interactive and exciting, no lab needed. Designed to empower learning, it brings discovery to every hand.

Design process

The idea for the Pencroscope began with a simple question: how can students in under-resourced schools explore the microscopic world without access to traditional microscopes? I started a brainstorm and collecting materials that combined the shape of a pen with the function of a microscope—something portable, 10× affordable, and easy to use. The first prototype used a low-powered lens and a repurposed plastic casing. It worked, but the image quality was poor and the device felt bulky. I then sourced a better camera sensor and collect unused highlighter pens and chose a perfect slimmer designed body to improve both image clarity and ergonomics. I added a built-in rechargeable battery to eliminate plug-in cords while using. Later, I integrated multiple devices connectivity so it could stream images to a several phones, tablets, or even TV and laptops without cables. The most recent version includes wireless charging and refined optics that produce clearer images up to 400x magnification. I conducted tests on pond water samples and plant cells to verify its performance. Each version improved based on feedback from teachers, students, and fellow innovators. Today, the Pencroscope is not just a tool—it’s a symbol of making science accessible, anywhere and anytime.

How it is different

The Pencroscope stands out from other digital microscopes because of its compact, true pen-like design, portability, and ability to clearly magnify living microscopic organisms real time which is something many affordable microscopes can’t do. While most digital microscopes are bulky, wired, and designed for industrial use, the Pencroscope is wireless, handheld, and made for students, teachers, and science enthusiasts. What makes it even more unique is that it uses miniaturized components from broken 3 dollar drone systems, allowing high performance to fit in a small, lightweight body. It streams, capture, and record live display directly to a device, powered by a rechargeable battery and wireless charging that makes it first ever IP66 waterproof. Unlike other microscopes designed for static use, the Pencroscope was built for mobility and real-world learning. It’s not just a microscope; it’s an accessible, innovative tool built to inspire discovery anywhere.

Future plans

Moving forward, I plan to further enhance the Pencroscope’s magnification, battery life, and app interface for easier use. I aim to collaborate with local schools and science programs to make it widely available in classrooms, especially in underserved areas. For business development, I hope to partner with educational suppliers and secure funding to begin small-scale manufacturing. Eventually, I want the Pencroscope to become a standard tool in science education, not just in the Philippines, but globally and bridging the gap between curiosity and access to real scientific exploration.

Awards

PENCROSCOPE became shortlisted in Times Higher Education Awards Asia 2025 in STEM Category. Me as the creator became as the youngest nominee standing among experts and professors. I may not win, but it is already a great experience, and now hoping that this will be my next open door.