Nanoartography 2024
Image credit: Nithin Chandran B S, Anupma Thakurr, NanoArtography 2024
2024 Award Winners
Click on the images to see them in full size.
NanoArtography 2024 Numbers
Total submissions: ~300 from 29 countries
FIRST PLACE
Adaptive Design
Isabel Sánchez, Lola Molina, Daniel Gracía-Muñoz & Concepción Hernández
University of Granada, Spain
This image evokes the geometric patterns characteristic of Escher's drawings, yet it is actually a close-up of an ant's glossa, or 'tongue.' The glossa is a crucial part of the ant’s mouthparts. While its shape and size vary depending on the species and diet, all ant tongues feature intricate structures, as seen in the image, which allows them to detect and select suitable food. These specialized structures are essential for the ant's ability to feed efficiently and adapt to its environment. The width of the image is 0.041 mm.
SECOND PLACE (tie two ways)
MXene T-Rex
Yeonjin Baek
Auburn University, USA
This colored scanning electron microscopy image captures the intricate, layered structure of niobium carbide (Nb₂C) MXenes, evoking a striking resemblance to the mighty T-Rex, often called the king of dinosaurs. The multilayered texture not only mirrors the power and majesty of ancient creatures but also highlights the cutting-edge potential of Nb₂C as a high-performance electrode material in energy storage devices. The image width is 0.013 mm.
SECOND PLACE (tie two ways)
Moon
José Manuel Martínez López
Química Tech Mexico, Mexico
This photo shows an 18-mm-diameter coverslip with crystals of p-phenylenediamine. It is a panoramic view captured with a 2.5x/0.06 objective in an optical microscope under polarized light and one lambda compensator. The width of the image is 18 mm.
THIRD PLACE (tie five ways)
Exploding Crystals
Fabio Cleisto Alda Dossi
Instituto de Tecnologia e Pesquisa (ITP), Brazil
This stunning 'Exploding Crystals' image, taken with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), exhibits the complex beauty of calcium carbonate polymorphs calcite and aragonite. The brown cube-like calcite crystals contrast dramatically with the delicate, green needle-like aragonite structures that form under certain conditions, such as high temperature or pressure. The bright colorization accentuates the artistic harmony amongst these polymorphs while also highlighting their different shapes. This image is part of a study on scale inhibitors, and serves as a bridge between science and art, offering both visual pleasure and insight into the mechanisms of scale inhibition, which can clog oil and gas lines. Its dual impact—scientific and artistic—captures the essence of how natural phenomena can inspire and inform both researchers and enthusiasts alike. The image width is 0.128 mm.
THIRD PLACE (tie five ways)
The Inorganic Riparian Forest
Aaron D. Mena
Purdue University, USA
This is a scanning electron micrograph of calcium carbonate suspended in a urea solution, and then dried for 8 days. During the drying process, cracks develop on the surface of the material, exposing two unique topographies. The micrograph has been colorized to illustrate the two unique topographies within the crack, which closely resemble a river and riverbanks. A mixture of calcium carbonate and urea surrounds the “river,” which has been colorized to resemble forestry. This combination of forests adjacent to a body of water is known as a riparian forest. The image width is 0.368 mm.
THIRD PLACE (tie five ways)
Slowly, Slowly the Sour Grape Becomes Honey
Greta M. Patrinoiu & Ilie Murgulescu
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romania
Metaphorically, the image highlights the virtues of patience and perseverance. Transformation and improvement take time, and the most valuable and delightful results often blossom from dreams, sustained effort, creativity, and imagination. The image is a scanning electron micrograph of functionalized hydrochar in which the particles resemble grapes. The image width is 0.05 mm.
THIRD PLACE (tie five ways)
The Nurturing Structure of Tantalum Pentoxide
Pushpalatha Vijayakumar Vaishag
Gachon University, South Korea
This image creatively embodies the concept of a mother nurturing her baby, symbolizing the protective and supportive function of Tantalum Pentoxide (Ta₂O5₅) nanomaterials. Just as a mother tenderly holds and cares for her child, the structure of Ta₂O₅ provides vital stability, protection, and support to the systems it integrates with. The intricate design of the nanomaterials reflects the close bond between mother and child, emphasizing the material's role in boosting performance and durability in cutting-edge applications. This compelling visual metaphor showcases the harmonious connection between nature and nanotechnology, where the nurturing qualities of Ta₂O₅5 promote growth and safeguarding at a nanoscale level. The image width is 0.03 mm.
THIRD PLACE (tie five ways)
Still Life
Mehran Mirmohammadi
Aalto University, Finland
This scanning electron micrograph captures the intricate beauty of etched aluminum, resembling a resilient flower that has endured an extremely harsh environment. Etched aluminum treated with a zinc nitrate and ammonia aqueous solution showcases a unique structure, symbolizing strength and survival under challenging conditions. The image width is 0.014 mm.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
The Blue Rose
Adiba & Ph Nonglen Meitei
Aligarh Muslim University & IIT Guwahati, India
Amidst the mystic darkness of the ocean, a bouquet of blue roses blooms above the vibrant green coral. The roses emit a faint, unearthly glow, cutting through the uncertainty of the abyss and the turbulent currents. Against the odds, a scientist's relentless pursuit of striving, risking, and capturing the impossible—blue roses, symbols of the unattainable—transforms the world beyond the boundaries of reality. The image width is 0.25 mm.
PURDUE MATERIALS ENGINEERING PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Cosmic Spheres: A Nanoscopic Universe
Bianka Pajo
Purdue University, USA
This nanoart image captures the beauty of countless monodisperse silica nanoparticles bound together, forming a dense cluster reminiscent of celestial bodies drawn by unseen forces. The uniformity and arrangement of particles evoke the idea of gravitational cohesion, holding the structure together, while the glowing streaks highlight the dynamic interaction between these particles. This microscopic cluster reflects the order found in nature’s smallest scales, mirroring cosmic formations in its tightly packed elegance. The image width is 0.059 mm.
DREXEL PEOPLE'S CHOICE
MXene in Nano-Starry Night
Bita Soltan Mohammadlou
Drexel University, USA
This scanning electron microscopy image shows the micro-structural response of a Ti₃C₂ MXene/PVDF nanocomposite under uniaxial tensile deformation. The image reveals the presence of a rounded microstructure and discrete micro-voids distributed throughout the composite matrix. With increasing tensile load, these micro-voids undergo progressive growth and coalescence, leading to the formation of larger voids and the initiation of micro-cracks. This behavior indicates the composite’s ductile failure mechanism and highlights the significance of interfacial properties and pre-existing voids in determining mechanical integrity. The image width is 0.025 mm.
PURDUE BIRCK NANO CENTER PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Shiny Starfish
Geeta Pokhrel
Purdue University, USA
The scanning electron microscopy image shows a starfish-shaped pattern in the decomposed wood powder after anaerobic decomposition. The pattern is still prevalent in the wood before decomposition. Such structures could be formed due to weathering or other growth patterns in the wood. The image width is 0.01 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
MXenes Under the Starry Canopy
Dario Zambrano, Jessica Gutiérrez González &
Andreas Rosenkranz
Universidad de Chile, Chile
Inspired by Van Gogh's "The Starry Night": Beneath swirling skies where stars entwine, As steadfast mountains touch the infinite.MXenes weave tribo-films that shimmer and heal, Unveiling endless horizons where galaxies wheel. Where art and science gracefully unite. Under the tapestry of the eternal night. The image width is 0.00001 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Rose Petal Cells
Gribkov Mikhail
LLC "Mikrofoto”, Russia
This colored scanning electron micrograph reveals the delicate structure of rose petal cells, beautifully inflated in a vacuum by internal pressure. The image highlights the intricate details of nature's design, preserved and enhanced under unique conditions. The image width is 0.2 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
MXenes Dragon from Game of Thrones
Savan Raj
Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique, Canada
This artwork is titanium carbide-based MXene layers doped with iron-cobalt nanoparticles synthesized via hydrothermal method. After the process, the material was further calcined and imaged by a scanning electron microscope. These agglomerated Fe-Co@MXene layers of double hydroxides are shaped like a Dragon from Game of Thrones. The image width is 0.014 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Titanium Petals of Creation
Austin Vorhees & Ken Aldren Usman
Purdue University, USA & Deakin University, Australia
This vibrant image captures an additive-free liquid crystalline MXene fiber, meticulously formed through wet spinning and elegantly colored to resemble a rose in bloom. This creation is not simply a scientific achievement but a manifestation of love and beauty brought forth by the creative force of human will in harmony with the universe's infinite possibilities. Each delicate petal symbolizes the convergence of discovery and nature's inherent grace, reflecting the profound connection between the act of creation and the elegance found in the natural world. The image width is 0.09 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Northern Lights on Whimsical Forest
Elda Sala
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy
A crystalline thin film of a cumulene, resembling northern lights over a golden forest. Some of the crystalline structures ripple like colorful auroras, while other ones bloom like trees, blending scientific detail with an almost magical scene. The result is a captivating display where nature's beauty meets material science. The image width is 5 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Who's a Good Boy?!
Bernhard Fickl
TU Wien, Austria
In my search for understanding the morphology and microstructure of novel aerosol jet-printed 3D structures of Ti-MIL-125 hybrid inks, a trusty companion came along to play. Images were layered on top of a scanning electron micrograph to enhance the playfulness captured by this surface-embedded metal-organic crystal. The image width is 0.005 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
MAXsteroid
Marley Downes, Benj Chacon & Yury Gogotsi
Drexel University, USA
The growth of this MAX phase is out of this world! While MAX phase typically crystallizes in hexagonal geometries, this MAXsteroid has grown in a triangular pattern as the first step to form a hexagonal structure. The image width is 0.013 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Overgrowth
Robert Spilker
Purdue University, USA
Selenium crystallized on the surface of a large grain of copper indium-gallium diselenide. The selenium growths overlap and interweave along three preferred orientations. The image width is 0.02 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Lightning of Victory
Yana Suchikova & Serhii Kovachov
Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, Ukraine
Crystallites on the surface of indium phosphide, resembling lightning, were formed through the method of selective electrochemical etching. These crystallites align along the dislocation lines and surface defects of the material, creating a complex network of paths that can significantly influence the material's electrical and optical properties. The formation of these crystallites provides unique sites for anisotropic growth, which can be utilized to create specific nanostructures that play a crucial role in the development of semiconductor devices. Their arrangement and shape can be controlled to achieve optimized characteristics in applications such as photodetectors, LEDs, and solar cells. The image width is 0.180 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Earth’s Corner
Laís P. Caminata, Caique M. Messias & Vitor A. S. Mendes
Federal University of Sao Carlos, Brazil
The image shows the fracture surface of a nanostructured BZT sample obtained by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The material, which has attracted scientific interest for application in energy storage devices, showed excellent densification and an average grain size of less than 200 nm. The main idea of the artwork created with the image obtained by SEM (and digitally colored) was to make fun of the existence of flat planets! The image width is 0.598 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Autumn Leaves
Timofey Averianov
Drexel University, USA
When testing the new settings on our new SEM, the new backscatter detector enabled simultaneous imaging at three different angles, which could be combined and individually colored. By testing with a MXene-derived bilayered vanadium oxide sample, I was able to capture the essence of a cold November day in an image of nanoleaves as they had fallen onto the ground. The image width is 0.036 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
A Microscopy Eye on Wings
Anjali Thakran
National Taiwan University, Taiwan
This is one of the beautiful images captured; I called them wings of wonder. Through optical microscopy, we captured this image, which reveals the purest form of nature that exists in symmetry. The captured image is a wing of our national bird, the peacock. As the human eye can’t see the origin of beauty, a microscopy eye shows these delicate structures, those intricate patterns that exist all around us—perfectly balanced and undeniably elegant. This image is a reminder of the marvels nature offers, urging us to nurture and protect the natural world, where symmetry and beauty thrive in every corner. The image width is 0.5 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Micro Hiker
Jia-Huei Tien
Purdue University, USA
This image juxtaposes the seemingly vast landscape with its true scale, the cliff face is only a few hundred microns in height. This contrast between the macro and micro realms highlights both the intricate, hidden world within steel. The hiker represents human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, even in the tiniest of environments. The image width is 0.8 mm.
HONORABLE MENTION
Blooming Defects: CRISPR in the Crystal Garden
Tathagata Pal & Juhong Chen
University of California, Riverside USA
This image showcases the encapsulation of a CRISPR-Cas system within a Metal-Organic Framework (MOF), synthesized and imaged using the TESCAN Vega 3 SBH SEM at the University of California Riverside. The delicate flower-like formations observed in the structure are a result of crystal defects within the MOF. Far from compromising the system, these imperfections create an intricate and aesthetically pleasing pattern, symbolizing the harmonious development of nanostructures in conjunction with bioengineering. The CRISPR system within the MOF is optimized for enhanced stability and sensitivity, offering a striking representation of the fusion of art and function at the nanoscale. The image width is 0.12 mm.
A complete list of 2024 finalists is available on NanoArtography's Instagram page.
Click here to see the 2024 finalists.