The basis of the movie Inception is the existence of timelines within timelines. Analogously, Foldscope demonstrates the open world of microscopic systems that exist even in the most unassuming objects. The photo attaches is of a small leaf found in an unremarkable alcove on Princeton University's campus. It's the type of leaf that would be easy to miss when looking right at it and is guaranteed to be missed by any walking passersby.

And yet, this small leaf maintains a sophisticated system of interconnecting veins that move vital resources around the plant to ensure its survival. Without these veins, the plant wouldn't be able to move energy from the sun to other parts of the plant, including reproductive systems that ensure the continuation of its species' survival. These systems overlap and work together to support the lifecycle of the plant. As a non-leaf expert, I wonder what happens to the leaf's systems when it detaches. Do they cease to function instantaneously or gradually? Does it depend on how or when the leaf comes off (i.e. falls off when the plant is dying vs. torn off by the wind or an animal)? Perhaps a leaf expert can speak to this.

The main takeaway of my Foldscope experience is this: Among the large systems that we're a part of (a university, a political environment, an energy grid), are small--even microscopic--systems that enable the others. Systems within systems. System-ception?

I conducted this project as part of Professor Pringle's EEB321 class at Princeton University.