A team of European researchers has introduced a groundbreaking open-source luminescence imaging instrument aimed at enhancing accessibility to advanced fluorescence and electroluminescence techniques. This development, revealed in the journal Optics Express on November 7, 2025, promises to transform fields ranging from plant science to materials research. The newly designed instrument, referred to as a luminescence macroscope with dynamic illumination, offers a cost-effective and customizable alternative to traditional laboratory setups.
The innovative macroscope integrates flexibility, affordability, and precision into a unified framework. Unlike conventional imaging systems, which are often limited by fixed optical designs, this device allows for complex, time-resolved illumination and detection protocols. Researchers can program various light modulation sequences, synchronize multiple wavelengths, and capture high-speed responses, all while accommodating a wide array of sample types—from potted plants to photovoltaic devices.
Democratizing Access to Advanced Imaging
Luminescence imaging has become essential in contemporary science, revealing molecular and physiological processes that are otherwise invisible. Historically, advanced illumination protocols required extensive expertise in optics, electronics, and software engineering.
“Our goal was to remove that barrier,” stated Dr. Ian Coghill, co-lead author from École Normale Supérieure, Paris. “We’ve built a system that others can easily replicate, without specialist training.” The research team has made a comprehensive suite of resources available to the public, including computer-aided design (CAD) files, detailed construction instructions, calibration protocols, and Python-based control software. The entire system can be assembled for less than €25,000, utilizing primarily off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components. This affordability opens doors for small laboratories and interdisciplinary teams to conduct experiments that were once limited to high-end custom setups.
Versatile Applications Across Disciplines
The macroscope features multiple illumination sources that cover ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths, ranging from 405 to 740 nm. It supports synchronized imaging at speeds of up to 100 frames per second and can apply customized modulation sequences—whether sinusoidal, pulsed, or user-defined—to investigate the kinetics of photoactive systems.
Demonstrations of the macroscope’s capabilities included applications in various fields:
– In plant physiology, researchers successfully measured photosynthetic parameters and monitored herbicide uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana using dynamic fluorescence protocols.
– In protein photophysics, the macroscope distinguished reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins through their unique kinetic “fingerprints,” employing techniques like Rectified Imaging under Optical Modulation (RIOM).
– The device also mapped frequency-dependent electroluminescence in solar cells and LEDs, enhancing understanding of charge transport and recombination dynamics.
“These examples are just a glimpse of what’s possible,” remarked Dr. Ludovic Jullien, the senior author and coordinator of the DREAM project. “By combining open hardware with programmable illumination, we aim to facilitate both fundamental research and practical innovation in diverse fields such as plant biology, photonics, and renewable energy.”
In line with the open-science principles of the DREAM project, all build files, analysis scripts, and experimental data are freely accessible via Zenodo. The research team encourages the scientific community to adapt the design to their specific needs, modify it for new optical modalities, or incorporate it into automated imaging workflows.
“This is not a one-off prototype,” Dr. Coghill emphasized. “It’s a platform others can build upon—an accessible gateway to exploring dynamic photophysics.”
The introduction of this open-source luminescence macroscope represents a significant step toward making advanced imaging techniques more widely available, fostering collaboration and innovation across various scientific disciplines.