The openUC2 optical
toolbox enables
The openUC2 optical
toolbox enables
optical rapid prototyping. endless combinations. creative solutions. open minds. optics for everyone. automated microscopy. research in arbitrary environments. optical modularization.
optical rapid prototyping. endless combinations. creative solutions. open minds. optics for everyone. automated microscopy. optical modularization.
Our Partners
Our Partners
Overview
The Raspberry Pi for Optics:
A Platform for tinkering
with light and photons
Discover the possibilities of rapid prototyping and endless customizability.
OpenUC2 makes cost effective cutting edge research available
to a large community by increasing flexibility and
enabling an extended information depth.
OpenUC2 makes cost effective cutting edge research available to a large community by increasing flexibility and enabling a extended information depth.
Find your perfect Fit
our product lines
Discovery
New
The DISCOVERY Line teaches you microscopy from the very basics to advanced topics. The whole course is built upon the analog Core kit, which brings you a set of lenses, mirrors and our very cubes. Build up to 9 setups, including e.g. a smartphone microscope, together with our printed or digital manual and start exploring the world of microscopy.
The DISCOVERY Line teaches you microscopy from the very basics to advanced topics. The whole course is built upon the analog Core kit, which brings you a set of lenses, mirrors and our very cubes. Build up to 9 setups, including e.g. a smartphone microscope, together with our printed or digital manual and start exploring the world of microscopy.
Xiao Microscope
The OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope makes advanced, accessible microscopy a reality. Built with Seeed Studio, this modular “Raspberry Pi for Optics” features XIAO ESP32S3 for AI-driven imaging, Wi-Fi control, and motorized focusing. Ideal for researchers, educators, and enthusiasts, it supports time-lapse and autonomous imaging. Easily build and customize setups using OpenUC2’s modular cubes, from simple experiments to complex optical systems. Join the open science community and elevate your microscopy experience—available now!
Electronics extends Core by a digital control unit together with a software suite, a controllable linear-stage, an array of individually controllable LEDs and an RGB-camera. It empowers you to build your first, automated imaging workflow and lays the foundation for professional data-processing. Enhance your smartphone microscope to a proper, remote-controllable microscope.
Investigator
Alpha
The INVESTIGATOR Line combines all the advantages of our modular toolbox and combines them with increased stability and professional components to be used as a workhorse in everyday research and development. INVESTIGATOR is an unpack-click-and-go solution that does not require an external technician to install and commission the device at your site, but can be commissioned anywhere in the world with just a few simple steps. INVESTIGATOR is still under development and more information will be available soon.
The INVESTIGATOR Line combines all the advantages of our modular toolbox and combines them with increased stability and professional components to be used as a workhorse in everyday research and development. With the FiveD platform we aim to introduce a fully-automated, open and extensible microscope that will fulfil your needs on a budget. It's an unpack-click-and-go solution that does not require an external technician to install and commission the device at your site, but can be commissioned anywhere in the world with just a few simple steps. FiveD is still under development and more information will be available soon.
this is openuc2
we stand for
Open Source
Rapid Prototyping
Creativity
Cost-Effective
Open Science
Automation
this is openuc2
we stand for
Open Source
Cost-Effective
Creativity
Automation
Rapid Prototyping
Open Science
Accessible and Intuitive
Learn the basics from single
lens to (analog) Smart-
phone microscope.
Learn the basics from single lens to (analog) Smartphone microscope.
Open and challenging
Build a digitally controllable
microscope and start to
analyse your first own
microscopy images.
Build a digitally controll-
able microscope and
start to analyse your first own micro-
scopy images.
Adaptable and Scaleable
Build from modules, but served
as a unit. Our fully assembled microscopy systems can be integrated into existing
workflows due to
their open API.
Build from modules, but served as a unit. Our fully assembled microscopy systems can be directly integrated into existing workflows due to their open API.
Usecases
discover application
areas of openuc2
School
Optics is more than just a tiny part of normal physics education. It is a tool. Understand how to build microscopes in class and start discovering the wondrous environment. Get a picture of soil in the forest and ask yourself the question: How great is biodiversity and how can we preserve it? Your smartphone will help you understand and share the results.
University
Photonics, the mix of optics and technology, is defining the 21st century. Communication, high-resolution imaging and quantum physics. Photons are everywhere. With special learning sets, you can “discover” the world of light and find out how it shapes our lives. Build 3D imaging microscopes, discover cell biology and observe that light can be both particle and wave.
Laboratory
You have limited space and budget, but still need a tool that supports your research in biology, chemistry or physics by magnifying tiny elements? A customised openUC2 microscope is your way to speed up your research project and can be extended with hardware and software add-ons based on your ideas. There are no limits to your imagination.
Explore
Projects around
the globe
Projects around the globe
- openUC2 is used here
About the team
Hey, we are Bene and René - the founders of openUC2.
Hey, we are Bene and René - the founders of openUC2.
Future Events
