Introduction

I want to examine different tissue materials and compare how their structures look to how they feel on my skin. Through this, I hope to learn how different fibers of different tissues look. I think this will be interesting to compare to how they feel on my skin as well, and maybe delve into why certain patterns of fibers feel softer than others on the skin. Recently, I have been very sick and have been using a lot of tissues and I noticed some which feel rougher on my skin. I am curious to examine the difference under the foldscope microscope. 
In my foldscope experience, I looked at 3 different types of tissues under my foldscope 2.0. The first type I looked at was the classic tissue used to blow your nose. The second type of tissue I looked at was a kitchen tissue, which was thicker and had different colors on it. The last kind was a wet wipe, with a 99% alcohol concentration to remove bacteria. You can see the different types in the photo down below. 

Background Research 

1. Face tissues, commonly known as facial tissues or facial wipes, are essential paper products designed for personal hygiene and cleanliness. These tissues are typically made from a combination of soft and absorbent fibers that contribute to their gentle touch on the skin. The fibers used in face tissues are often derived from wood pulp, with popular options including softwoods like spruce and pine. Through various manufacturing processes, these fibers are transformed into non-woven sheets, providing a delicate yet durable texture suitable for wiping the face. Some facial tissues may also incorporate recycled fibers or alternative materials to address environmental concerns. Advances in fiber technology have led to the development of premium facial tissues with enhanced strength, thickness, and moisture retention properties. Research in this field often focuses on optimizing the balance between softness and strength, exploring sustainable sourcing, and improving the overall user experience. As facial tissues remain a staple in personal care, ongoing innovation in fiber composition continues to shape the evolution of these everyday products.
2. Paper towel rolls are a common household product used for a variety of cleaning and drying purposes. These rolls are typically composed of absorbent paper fibers derived from wood pulp, similar to the face tissues. The fibers used in paper towel production are often sourced from softwood trees, such as spruce, pine, or fir. These softwoods are favored for their longer fibers, which contribute to the strength and absorbency of the paper towels. The manufacturing process involves pulping the wood, creating a pulp mixture that is then flattened and dried to form the paper sheets. The resulting sheets are perforated and wound into rolls for consumer use. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of sustainability in paper production, leading to increased efforts to incorporate recycled fibers and promote responsible forestry practices. Research in this area aims to strike a balance between maintaining the performance characteristics of paper towels, such as absorbency and strength, while also addressing environmental concerns through the use of recycled materials and sustainable sourcing practices.
3. Wet wipes, also known as moist towelettes, are pre-moistened disposable cloths designed for various personal hygiene and cleaning purposes. These wipes typically contain a combination of water, mild cleansing agents, and soothing or moisturizing compounds, making them suitable for use on the skin. The fibers used in wet wipes play a crucial role in their overall performance and feel. Commonly, these wipes are constructed using non-woven fabrics, which are composed of synthetic or natural fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, viscose, or a blend of these materials. Non-woven fabrics provide a soft and flexible texture, enhancing the comfort and effectiveness of the wipes during use. The choice of fibers influences the strength, absorbency, and biodegradability of the wipes. Manufacturers often focus on developing eco-friendly alternatives, incorporating sustainable materials to reduce environmental impact. As the demand for convenient personal care products continues to rise, ongoing research in the field aims to improve the sustainability and performance of wet wipes through innovations in fiber technology and formulation.

Experiment results
After mounting each type of tissue on a paper slide and observing the samples under the foldscope 2.0 using the 340x zoom lens, I had these results (photos below). 

1. Regular tissue 
2. 2. Kitchen tissue/paper towel rolls
3. 3. Wet wipe

From these images, I can see that the wet wipes have the most intricate weaving pattern and they also feel the thickest and the softest. I can also see the intricate patterns of the different colors of the tissue fibers in the kitchen towels/paper towel rolls as part of it is dyed a purple/pink color. The regular face tissue had the least complex structure as I expected as it is the thinnest to the touch, and the imaging was not quite as clear as the other tissues. 
The tissue fibers in face tissues like Kleenex generally consist of soft and lightweight paper pulp, often derived from softwood trees such as spruce or pine as I learned from my background research. These fibers are processed into non-woven sheets, creating a delicate and absorbent texture suitable for gentle use on the face which we can see in my imaging, although it is not too clear. The tissue fibers in paper towel rolls are made from similar materials as the face tissues. We can see the patterns of these tissues more clearly, especially with part of the tissue dyed. I choose to work with colored tissue to see if the color would help with the identification of different structures as I learned in a lab visit. Many researchers often dye certain materials or cells to get a clearer image, and that was my goal with the paper towel roll.
The tissue fibers in wet wipes typically appear as non-woven fabrics, composed of a combination of synthetic and/or natural fibers. These fibers are often arranged in a cross-directional pattern, as we can see with the imaging above. 
I chose to examine these different tissues at a high magnification as I thought it would  provide valuable insights into their cellular and structural composition. High magnification allows for the visualization of individual cells within the tissue. This is crucial for understanding the specific cell types present, their arrangement, and any abnormalities or variations that may be indicative of a particular condition. I wanted to look carefully at the microscopic structures and see if I could identify the different ways tissues were woven together and if different types of tissues had different weaving patterns. When looking at the tissue fibers through less magnification, it was harder to see and identify patterns as it was not as defined or easy to see. High magnification enables the observation of these structures, aiding in the identification and characterization of tissues.