Just some links that caught my eye: 3D Printing research equipment

Pointers toward 3D printing science equipment.  William's teacher printed many iPod cases.   I see the next step as making a case for a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a thingamajig to slip in a microscope eyepiece or another lens.    For two reasons, the Open Source character of the Thingaverse movement (as I take liberty of calling it) is HOT:

1. They are freeliy available and can be improved.
2. People are collaborating to make them better.

Like Free Software.



I like these:

A Great Podcast:

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/337/6100/1303/suppl/DC1

Some optical (including microscope) gear 3D printing designs. 

http://www.thingiverse.com/jpearce/collections/open-source-optics

Links

http://www.appropedia.org/Building_research_equipment_with_free,_open-source_hardware