# DIY: Functioning SEM for $1500 **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Off Topic\ **Created:** [August 3, 2011, 9:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-functioning-sem-for-1500/259760 "2011-08-03T09:33:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GD3Skier](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gd3skier/32/6400_2.png) [@GD3Skier](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GD3Skier)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-functioning-sem-for-1500/259760/1 "2011-08-03T09:33:27Z")
Dude is impressive! Considering companies buy them for a quarter million dollars. > **[You Built What?! A Homemade Scanning Electron Microscope](https://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2011-07/you-built-what-scanning-electron-microscope)** > > Ben Krasnow has built his share of odd contraptions, including a liquid nitrogen generator made from an air conditioner, and the "thirst extinguisher," a commercial-grade fire extinguisher that cools, carbonates, and dispenses his homemade beer. Now,... ---
**Author:** ![ninety1two40](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ninety1two40/32/6332_2.png) [@ninety1two40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ninety1two40)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-functioning-sem-for-1500/259760/2 "2011-08-03T09:37:14Z")
That’s pretty badass, to bad he can’t get the x1Million magnification that commercial ones have ---
**Author:** ![GD3Skier](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gd3skier/32/6400_2.png) [@GD3Skier](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GD3Skier)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-functioning-sem-for-1500/259760/3 "2011-08-03T09:50:59Z")
True, just the proof of concept from readily available materials is awesome though.