Discover the PlanktoScope
An innovative, open-source microscope revolutionizing the way researchers image and analyze plankton.
Designed for precision, sustainability, and ease of use powered by FairScope.
THE PLANKTOSCOPE
Open-Source Imaging for Aquatic Biology
The PlanktoScope is an open-source hardware and software platform designed for precise, quantitative, and qualitative imaging of plankton communities. With its advanced flow-through technology, it enables real-time observation of aquatic microorganisms in motion-ideal for both laboratory experiments and monitoring natural environments.
"Our vision for the PlanktoScope was clear from day one : create an accessible, open-source solution that empowers researchers worldwide to reveal the unseen beauty and complexity of aquatic ecosystems."
HOW IT WORKS?
The Pipeline of the PlanktoScope
Sampling
Prepare equipment, collect the water sample and load it into the PlanktoScope.
Control
Operate the acquisition process through a user-friendly interface.
Acquisition
Capture detailed images of the microorganisms using the PlanktoScope.
Segmentation
ROIs and metadata are extracted from raw images using our software.
Upload
Upload segmented data to EcoTaxa for classification and dataset building.
KEY FEATURES
Designed for Aquatic Research
Field-Ready / Expedition-Proven
Whether you're working on the deck of a boat, at the water's edge, or in a remote research station, the PlanktoScope is designed to go wherever your science takes you. Its compact, lightweight build and rugged bamboo construction make it ideal for field deployment, even in challenging environments. The device runs on 12V DC power, supports WiFi control from any laptop or tablet, and can be used directly with net-collected samples, on-site cultures, or even in real-time from flow-through setups. No lab bench required, just science in motion.
Automated Imaging
The PlanktoScope software seamlessly automates plankton image acquisition, ensures precise image segmentation, and integrates directly with EcoTaxa for advanced taxonomic analysis. Its intuitive web-based interface, built on Node-RED, simplifies data management, providing standardized images and metadata ideal for your Python analysis pipelines.
Precision Fluidics for Continuous Imaging
The PlanktoScope utilizes an advanced flow-through design engineered for precise, real-time plankton imaging. At its core is a carefully calibrated 300 µm-thick flowcell, allowing organisms to pass smoothly and continuously through the optical imaging zone. High-quality Tygon S3 tubing, free from BPA and phthalates, ensures clean and contamination-free sample handling. With standardized Luer Lock connectors and meticulously selected components, the PlanktoScope’s fluidic system guarantees consistent and reproducible data acquisition—ideal for quantitative analyses, long-term monitoring, and rigorous scientific research.
Affordable Optical Assembly
Equipped with the 12.3MP Sony IMX477R sensor embedded in Raspberry HQ Camera, the PlanktoScope combines high-resolution imaging with advanced optics. Its optical system features two reversed M12 lenses, enabling precise magnification and clarity across a broad field of view. With a native resolution of 4056 × 3040 pixels and a pixel size of 0.75 µm, the system captures intricate micro-organism structures with exceptional detail—making it ideal for scientific imaging, monitoring biodiversity, or training machine learning models.
Frugal and Made to Last
The PlanktoScope is engineered for reliable, continuous multi-day operation, ensuring dependable performance in demanding conditions. Its modular design and use of standard components simplify maintenance and repairs. Each unit undergoes rigorous testing and quality control by FairScope, guaranteeing high reliability from the moment it arrives. Crafted from robust yet lightweight bamboo plywood, the PlanktoScope resists warping and outperforms traditional plastic designs, aligning perfectly with FairScope’s commitment to sustainability.
Built for EcoTaxa
The PlanktoScope integrates seamlessly with EcoTaxa, the leading open-access platform for plankton image classification and data sharing. With over 48 million images uploaded from the PlanktoScope and contributions to more than 770 scientific projects and 10,000 samples, it has become one of the most widely adopted tools in the global plankton research community. From raw acquisition to segmentation and upload, the workflow is optimized to streamline your path from sample to science.
FairScope on ECOTAXA
Discover how FairScope technology works in practice. This dataset on EcoTaxa highlights the product’s performance and workflow, giving a first look at its potential.
View the project on EcoTaxa See more
Discover inspiring projects with the PlanktoScope
Learn how the PlanktoScope is used to study and understand aquatic ecosystems
SPECIFICATIONS
Technical Specifications
The PlanktoScope is built from the ground up to deliver accessible, high-resolution microscopy and fluidic automation for field and lab applications alike. Whether you're a marine biologist, an educator, or a citizen scientist, every component has been thoughtfully designed to balance performance, affordability, and modularity.
Below, you'll find a detailed overview of its core components like optics, fluidics, mechanics, and electronics, each contributing to the PlanktoScope’s versatility and reliability. From capturing vivid imagery of plankton communities to enabling streamlined workflows in the most remote environments, this is where design meets purpose.
General
(in mm)
(in mm)
Size (WxHxD)
261 mm x 133 mm x 123 mm (13.4 x 13.8 x 6.1 inches)Weight
3.5 kg (7.7 lbs)Electronic
Computer
Raspberry Pi 4 BRAM
4 GBStorage
128 GBPower
DC 12V - 4AOptic
Optical resolution
0,75 µmField of view
3062 x 2295 µmStill resolution
12.3 megapixelsFluidic
Volume per image
2.1 µLAcquisition rate
0.126 ml/minFlow cell thickness
300 µmGot a specific project in mind ?
Collaborate with us to make your project a success !
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the PlanktoScope.
The PlanktoScope is capable of capturing images of a wide variety of zooplankton and phytoplankton commonly found in aquatic environments. It can observe particles ranging from 20 to 200 µm.
The PlanktoScope suitcase includes a PlanktoScope V2.6, a 128GB Micro SD Card with an SD Card Adapter, a fluidic and cleaning kit, a bubbler kit, a 12V 4A AC adapter, an AC power cord, a precision bit set, and a precision tweezers set, all delivered in a waterproof protective suitcase.
The PlanktoScope uses flow-through imaging technology to capture high-resolution images of plankton samples in motion. A sample is introduced into the fluidic system, where it passes through a flowcell. The optical system, powered by a Raspberry Pi, captures and processes images in real-time. The data can be accessed via an open-source software interface from any WiFi-enabled device. Additionally, the PlanktoScope is compatible with EcoTaxa, an online platform for classifying and analyzing plankton images, making data sharing and automated identification easier.
Regular cleaning of the optical and fluidic components is recommended to ensure optimal performance.
The PlanktoScope is designed to be user-friendly. Basic technical knowledge is required for setup, but detailed documentation and a supportive community are available to help users get started.
Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping costs and delivery times depend on the destination.
Yes, the Planktoscope is able to provide qualitative information with the acquired images (the identification of particles and/or species must be done with another tool such as Ecotaxa). The Planktoscope takes into account the "imaged volume" which is useful to calculate the densities of the categories of identified objects.
GUARANTEES
Certifications and Commitments
Compliance with European regulations.
Free from hazardous substances.
Sustainable materials to minimize waste.
Guidelines for end-of-life recycling.