The SoPro

PhD student Brandon Dillon recently developed a wonderful self-contained underwater microscope camera for imaging suspended particulate matter. The camera, affectionately referred to as the “SoPro”, is built around a GoPro Hero-5 that has been configured to accommodate an objective c-mount lens. Combining the camera, lens, and lighting setup allows us to directly measure suspended particles in the 10 µm to 2 mm range in concentrations up to ≈ 500 mg/L. Because of the GoPro’s internal battery power and controls, the entire package can be deployed without the need of communication or power cables. Below are video and images of the camera in operation in the lab and field.

The SoPro in action in the lab

Images from the New River near Radford, VA during conditions of moderate flooding.