
The Digital Reflected Light Microscope and Graphene Mapping System is a low-cost scientific instrumentation project developed by Kilian Günthner to make advanced materials research more accessible. High-quality reflected-light microscopes capable of identifying graphene and other ultra-thin materials typically cost thousands to tens of thousands of euros, placing them beyond the reach of many schools and early-stage researchers. Kilian designed a system using custom optics, calibration hardware, and software to retrofit standard microscopes into tools capable of visualizing graphene flakes. The project won first prize in Technology at the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state level of Jugend forscht, and was later cited by researchers as an enabling tool for early graphene experimentation.
Press & Media

12-Year-Old Kilian Günthner Builds a Super Microscope from Simple “Ingredients”
Kilian Günthner from Stotzheim made it all the way to the top: he won first prize in the field of Technology at the North Rhine-Westphalia state competition Schüler experimentie...

Kölnische Rundschau (Newspaper)
Young Researcher with a Fan Club of His Own
At the 18th state-level Schüler experimentieren competition, the best young researchers from across North Rhine-Westphalia gathered at RWE. Among them was Kilian Günthner...
