English

Smartphone Schlieren

Physics Education 2016-09-15 v1 Fluid Dynamics Instrumentation and Detectors Optics

Abstract

We present a schlieren system comprised of 3D printed optical mounts, a sub-$10 mirror, and a smartphone camera. The system is intended to make schlieren imaging accessible to K-through-12 students, educators, as well as hobbyists. In the manuscript, we detail the design of the system, provide source files for continued iteration, and show some example schlieren images and videos of a butane lighter, a jet of compressed air, and an electric stove.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1609.04298,
  title  = {Smartphone Schlieren},
  author = {Victor A. Miller and Keith T. Loebner},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1609.04298},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

6 pages, 7 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-22T15:49:42.199Z