Developing and Fabricating Equipment for Smartphone Microscopy Using Elastomer Lenses ASHUTOSH SHARMA, 1 VINIT VITHALRAI SHENVI, 1 TARUN HITTAMALANI, 2 AYAM DASH 3 1,2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore 560054, India. 3 School of Computer Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal, Bhopal 466114, India. Abstract The PDMS lens, a versatile silicone-based polymer with exceptional properties, finds wide application across diverse fields. Its optical transparency, flexibility, and ability to shape lenses with various focal lengths have boosted its popularity. PDMS lenses offer exceptional optical clarity, ensuring efficient light transmission with minimal scattering or absorption. They are favoured for optical applications requiring optimal light transmission and image quality. This study underscores the potential of PDMS lenses in converting commercial imaging systems like smartphones into cost-effective, handheld microscopes. By addressing limitations of traditional microscopes such as accessibility and portability, the proposed fixture designs aim to enhance mobility and transform smartphones into powerful microscopes economically, utilizing PDMS lenses for stable and accurate magnification. Introduction This work delves into the remarkable potential of elastomer lenses, specifically Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) lenses, in revolutionizing commercial imaging systems, such as smartphones and webcams, by transforming them into cost-effective and highly portable microscopes. Conventional microscopy has been an indispensable tool in numerous scientific and industrial applications, yet it comes with inherent limitations, such as limited accessibility, portability issues, high maintenance requirements, and significant power consumption [1]. In response to these challenges, this work proposes two novel fixture design concepts that exploits the exceptional properties of PDMS lenses to create handheld microscopes capable of overcoming the drawbacks associated with traditional microscope use [2]. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a member of the silicone group, is a widely used silicon-based organic polymer due to its exceptional versatility and properties [3, 4]. It has found numerous applications in various fields. In the pursuit of satisfying the demands of photoelectric systems, researchers have explored different methods to fabricate refractive micro lens arrays using various lens materials. These materials include polymer, silica, diamond, and sol-gel [5,6]. However, many fabrication technologies for these materials involve costly photolithography processes. PDMS offers a promising solution as its optical properties have been measured, revealing approximately 85% transmittance in the wavelength range of 290-1100 nm, covering ultraviolet rays, visible light, and part of infrared rays [7,8]. This makes PDMS an ideal material for lenses in modern science and technology applications.