Photo: Kurt Hickman | Stanford University
Bioengineers at Stanford University crafted a hand-powered centrifuge, the 'paperfuge', that can isolate malaria parasites in 15 minutes and separate blood plasma from red cells in under two minutes, all without electricity. While its speeds of up to 125,000 RPM rival expensive laboratory centrifuges, it is constructed from 20 cents worth of paper, twine, and plastic. Earlier, Manu Prakash and his team created the "foldscope," an affordable paper microscope that enables the diagnosis of various diseases. These innovations offer new hope for accessible healthcare in underserved areas.
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