NANOARTOGRAPHY
NanoArtography is an international science image competition that combines nanoscience and art. The competition is open to everyone. NanoArtography was created by Dr. Anasori at the A. J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute in 2016 and expanded to Purdue School of Engineering & Technology at IUPUI in 2019. Nanoartography is organized by Dr. Anasori and the Anasori Lab at IUPUI. To learn more about the competition or submit your image click here
Prehistoric Copper
Nicole Overman, Xiao Li, and Glenn Grant
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA, USA
Material: Copper powder
Image size: The image width is 0.06 mm.
NanoArtography 2020 finalist
Image description by the scientist/artist:
This image shows the morphology of electrolytically produced copper powder.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA, USA
Material: Copper powder
Image size: The image width is 0.06 mm.
NanoArtography 2020 finalist
Image description by the scientist/artist:
This image shows the morphology of electrolytically produced copper powder.
Landscape of a Wasp
Daniel Minner, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, USA
Images obtained from the head of a wasp using field emission scanning electron microscopy.
Images obtained from the head of a wasp using field emission scanning electron microscopy.
The Lost Flower of Snegurochka (“Snow Maiden”)
Rajashree Konar and Gilbert Daniel Nessim, Bar-Ilan University, Israel
The flowers are of Silver Sulfide synthesized using an Atmospheric Pressure CVD. The microstructure has unique flowers growing at the tip of the hollows. Image size is about 0.004 mm.
The flowers are of Silver Sulfide synthesized using an Atmospheric Pressure CVD. The microstructure has unique flowers growing at the tip of the hollows. Image size is about 0.004 mm.
Cobalt Oxide Neurotransmitters
Kampara Roopa Kishore,
SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
The image shows electrospun biomimetic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) - cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanofibers as human brain neurotransmitters. PVA and cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate were used for the synthesize of PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers by electrospinning technique, which resembles human brain neurons.
The interconnection of nanofibers looks like the nucleus of a neuron and the elongated nanofiber morphology replicates the axon of the neuron. PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers with high surface area to volume ratio had many applications in gas sensors, catalysis, fuel cells, and energy storage applications. These PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers had shown good vapor sensing response towards methanol vapor, for the concentration ranging from 21 ppm to 2094 ppm at 350 °C operating temperature. PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers were characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The width of the image is 0.075 mm.
SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
The image shows electrospun biomimetic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) - cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanofibers as human brain neurotransmitters. PVA and cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate were used for the synthesize of PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers by electrospinning technique, which resembles human brain neurons.
The interconnection of nanofibers looks like the nucleus of a neuron and the elongated nanofiber morphology replicates the axon of the neuron. PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers with high surface area to volume ratio had many applications in gas sensors, catalysis, fuel cells, and energy storage applications. These PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers had shown good vapor sensing response towards methanol vapor, for the concentration ranging from 21 ppm to 2094 ppm at 350 °C operating temperature. PVA-Co3O4 nanofibers were characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The width of the image is 0.075 mm.
Flower and their ties
Vitor Anibal do Sacramento Mendes, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
Flower and their ties. Micrograph of the flower of the Leucophyllum frutescens plant, popularly known as silver rain in Brazil. The image width is ~ 1.5 mm.
Flower and their ties. Micrograph of the flower of the Leucophyllum frutescens plant, popularly known as silver rain in Brazil. The image width is ~ 1.5 mm.
Firedrake
Kartik Nemani, Prasanna Rudravajula, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN, USA
A partially etched MXene flake morphed into the shape of a rising dragon from the smoke. The dragon named “Firedrake” with blue blood bleeding out of its forehead, seeks the moonlight to rejuvenate and regain its strength. This is inspired by our childhood when I was a fiction addict and read Cornelia Funke’s 2004 Adventure Fantasy novel “The Dragon-Rider”. Artificial eye and tongue are added to highlight features of the image. The image width is 0.005 mm.
A partially etched MXene flake morphed into the shape of a rising dragon from the smoke. The dragon named “Firedrake” with blue blood bleeding out of its forehead, seeks the moonlight to rejuvenate and regain its strength. This is inspired by our childhood when I was a fiction addict and read Cornelia Funke’s 2004 Adventure Fantasy novel “The Dragon-Rider”. Artificial eye and tongue are added to highlight features of the image. The image width is 0.005 mm.
The Snow Has Fallen Over the Pine Forest
Andreia Sofia Santana dos Santos,
Associaco Almascience - lnvestigacao e Desenvolvimento em Celulose para Aplicacoes lnteligentes e Sustentaveis (ALMASCIENCE), Portugal
This image shows a polydimethylsiloxane micro-structured film covered with the ink of silver particles. The microstructuring was achieved by using laser engraving equipment to produce a mold in an acrylic substrate and then using the mold in a soft-lithography process. The ink was spread over the structures by spin-coating. These films have been employed in e-skin like piezoresistive sensors, resistive temperature sensors, and even energy harvesters.
Associaco Almascience - lnvestigacao e Desenvolvimento em Celulose para Aplicacoes lnteligentes e Sustentaveis (ALMASCIENCE), Portugal
This image shows a polydimethylsiloxane micro-structured film covered with the ink of silver particles. The microstructuring was achieved by using laser engraving equipment to produce a mold in an acrylic substrate and then using the mold in a soft-lithography process. The ink was spread over the structures by spin-coating. These films have been employed in e-skin like piezoresistive sensors, resistive temperature sensors, and even energy harvesters.
Mandala Art
Shalakha Saha,
Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad, India
The FESEM micrograph represents nickel foam decorated with arrays of cobalt-molybdenum mixed sulfide micro-flower as-synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The hierarchical flower architecture-based electrode has exhibited excellent electrochemical performance when evaluated for high-performance supercapacitor application.
Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad, India
The FESEM micrograph represents nickel foam decorated with arrays of cobalt-molybdenum mixed sulfide micro-flower as-synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The hierarchical flower architecture-based electrode has exhibited excellent electrochemical performance when evaluated for high-performance supercapacitor application.
Precipitation of Life
Shivam Kumar Dwivedi, Abishek M, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
This is the microscopy image that resembles precipitating chemical reaction. The term ‘precipitation reaction’ can be defined as “a chemical reaction occurring in an aqueous solution where two ionic bonds combine, resulting in the formation of an insoluble salt”. These insoluble salts formed in precipitation reactions are called precipitates. It is the chemical reaction between potassium chloride and silver nitrate, in which solid silver chloride is precipitated out. This is the insoluble salt formed as a product of the precipitation reaction in the same manner life is also a precipitation of birth & death.
This is the microscopy image that resembles precipitating chemical reaction. The term ‘precipitation reaction’ can be defined as “a chemical reaction occurring in an aqueous solution where two ionic bonds combine, resulting in the formation of an insoluble salt”. These insoluble salts formed in precipitation reactions are called precipitates. It is the chemical reaction between potassium chloride and silver nitrate, in which solid silver chloride is precipitated out. This is the insoluble salt formed as a product of the precipitation reaction in the same manner life is also a precipitation of birth & death.
Kaleidoscope
Bernardo Cesare – Dept. of Geosciences, University of Padova, Italy
This photo tells us of a geological event half a billion years ago, when extreme heat deep within the Earth gave rise to this crystal formation. Like a stained-glass window, the black graphite cuts across the colorful panels of quartz and feldspar. Feldspar is the most abundant silicate (of Al, K, and Na) of the Earth’s continental crust. I use photomicrographs to study rocks and minerals, not only to make images with artistic intent. In this case, I actually studied - with colleague and friend Satish Kumar - this granulite rock from a working quarry in Kerala, India. The microscopic scene that we observe formed at almost 900 °C when the feldspars crystallized together with graphite in this beautiful intergrowth. While most minerals, including all silicates, become transparent to light when thinned down at 30-micron width, some remain opaque. Graphite is among them, and this explains why it creates the black strokes in this photo. The image width is 2.7 mm.
This photo tells us of a geological event half a billion years ago, when extreme heat deep within the Earth gave rise to this crystal formation. Like a stained-glass window, the black graphite cuts across the colorful panels of quartz and feldspar. Feldspar is the most abundant silicate (of Al, K, and Na) of the Earth’s continental crust. I use photomicrographs to study rocks and minerals, not only to make images with artistic intent. In this case, I actually studied - with colleague and friend Satish Kumar - this granulite rock from a working quarry in Kerala, India. The microscopic scene that we observe formed at almost 900 °C when the feldspars crystallized together with graphite in this beautiful intergrowth. While most minerals, including all silicates, become transparent to light when thinned down at 30-micron width, some remain opaque. Graphite is among them, and this explains why it creates the black strokes in this photo. The image width is 2.7 mm.
Minuscule Beach
Parvin Fathi-Hafshejani, Seyed Adib Taba,
Auburn University, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
The layered nanomaterial world not only resembles everyday wonders but also contributes in a big way from its tiny world. The image shows MoS2 nano/microstructures prepared with laser processing (the jungle) and without laser processing (the beach). The main idea was to connect the real world with the nanomaterial world observed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and how we can engineer nanostructures. The image width is 0.254 mm.
Auburn University, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
The layered nanomaterial world not only resembles everyday wonders but also contributes in a big way from its tiny world. The image shows MoS2 nano/microstructures prepared with laser processing (the jungle) and without laser processing (the beach). The main idea was to connect the real world with the nanomaterial world observed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and how we can engineer nanostructures. The image width is 0.254 mm.
The Concert
Bernardo Cesare,
Dept. of Geosciences, University of Padova, Italy
Polarized light photomicrograph of a thin section of Agate from Brazil. Agate is made of microcrystalline quartz, called chalcedony. This specimen is peculiar for the extremely fine-grained chalcedony in the central and top parts, as opposed to the coarser crystals in the lower band. Here, the parallel vertical alignment of some crystals recalls a crowd facing a stage or a beach. The image width is 5.3 mm.
Dept. of Geosciences, University of Padova, Italy
Polarized light photomicrograph of a thin section of Agate from Brazil. Agate is made of microcrystalline quartz, called chalcedony. This specimen is peculiar for the extremely fine-grained chalcedony in the central and top parts, as opposed to the coarser crystals in the lower band. Here, the parallel vertical alignment of some crystals recalls a crowd facing a stage or a beach. The image width is 5.3 mm.
Underwater Nano Flower Portrait
Yuxin Wen & Phil Ridley, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
This portrait demonstrates nanoflakes of a layered potassium vanadium oxide bronze (KVO) phase arranged in a unique way, resembling an all-encompassing, magnified flower. The petals of the nano flower are delicate and dynamic, and the luminance on the edges of the petals evokes a supernatural feeling. In effect, the flower is reminiscent of serendipitous creatures submerged deep under the ocean, calling courageous divers for further adventures. The authors of this photograph added the purple-blue color gradient to emphasize the sense of movement and mystery and to draw attention to the unfathomable center of the flower. This unique material morphology is owed to the novel synthesis approach used where transition metal carbide MXene is converted into this layered KVO phase via controlled oxidation. The image width is ~ 0.01 mm.
This portrait demonstrates nanoflakes of a layered potassium vanadium oxide bronze (KVO) phase arranged in a unique way, resembling an all-encompassing, magnified flower. The petals of the nano flower are delicate and dynamic, and the luminance on the edges of the petals evokes a supernatural feeling. In effect, the flower is reminiscent of serendipitous creatures submerged deep under the ocean, calling courageous divers for further adventures. The authors of this photograph added the purple-blue color gradient to emphasize the sense of movement and mystery and to draw attention to the unfathomable center of the flower. This unique material morphology is owed to the novel synthesis approach used where transition metal carbide MXene is converted into this layered KVO phase via controlled oxidation. The image width is ~ 0.01 mm.
Autumn Leaves of Carbon Nanotubes
Juan Luis Fajardo Díaz, San Luis Potosí Institute of Scientific Research and Technology, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Material: carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
Image size: The image width is 0.11 mm.
This image illustrates carbon nanotubes (CNTs) formation that resembles a leaves interaction like the fallen leaves of a tree. The combination of colors like dark green, yellow, and red simulating colors of autumn leaves fit very well with the spatial distribution, curved sections, hills, and structure obtained from the CNT.
These CNTs grew over a Co-Cu thin film in a chemical vapor deposition system. The combination of a sulfonated and oxygenated precursor, temperature variation, reductive atmosphere, and time of synthesis modifies the growth mechanism of Co nanoparticles. It creates very short and thin CNTs that agglomerates and display these peculiar patterns over the sample. This effect is probably associated with a specific decomposition process of the sulfonated and oxygenated precursor and the interaction with Co and Cu catalysts.
Material: carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
Image size: The image width is 0.11 mm.
This image illustrates carbon nanotubes (CNTs) formation that resembles a leaves interaction like the fallen leaves of a tree. The combination of colors like dark green, yellow, and red simulating colors of autumn leaves fit very well with the spatial distribution, curved sections, hills, and structure obtained from the CNT.
These CNTs grew over a Co-Cu thin film in a chemical vapor deposition system. The combination of a sulfonated and oxygenated precursor, temperature variation, reductive atmosphere, and time of synthesis modifies the growth mechanism of Co nanoparticles. It creates very short and thin CNTs that agglomerates and display these peculiar patterns over the sample. This effect is probably associated with a specific decomposition process of the sulfonated and oxygenated precursor and the interaction with Co and Cu catalysts.
A Crystalline Silver Flower
Material: Silver nanoparticles on a silicon substrate
Image size: The image width is ~ 0.1 mm.
Image description by the scientist/artist: A thin and delicate layer of silver nanoparticles has been shaken by ionized gas. This energetic gas strongly interacts with the surface and modifies the fabric of the matter. As a result, the spheres change their shape and slow growth to form sharp structures well distributed on the surface. These poetic flowers spread over the silicon surface like fragile emerald crystals. Here, by using scanning electron microscopy, we discover the beautiful organization of these tiny particles on a purple carpet.
Image size: The image width is ~ 0.1 mm.
Image description by the scientist/artist: A thin and delicate layer of silver nanoparticles has been shaken by ionized gas. This energetic gas strongly interacts with the surface and modifies the fabric of the matter. As a result, the spheres change their shape and slow growth to form sharp structures well distributed on the surface. These poetic flowers spread over the silicon surface like fragile emerald crystals. Here, by using scanning electron microscopy, we discover the beautiful organization of these tiny particles on a purple carpet.
MXene Library
Michael Ghidiu, MSE, Drexel University, USA
MXene Ti3C2 ‘clay’ has a layered structure that can be easily sheared, creating fantastic forms on the microscale. This is an SEM image of Ti3C2 stacks that have been partially sheared along the basal planes, giving the appearance of books, and has been colorized to emphasize the likeness.
MXene Ti3C2 ‘clay’ has a layered structure that can be easily sheared, creating fantastic forms on the microscale. This is an SEM image of Ti3C2 stacks that have been partially sheared along the basal planes, giving the appearance of books, and has been colorized to emphasize the likeness.
CoS2 based Nano-Micro battle stations ready for combat
Mohit Saraf, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India.
This type of never seen before morphology was grown by a simple hydrothermal reaction. Out of a plethora of materials available in the literature, this unique morphology was obtained in an attempt to synthesize CoS2nanomaterials. We believe that this type of nano-micro structure represents futuristic battle stations, which are ready to combat anytime. Image width is ~ 0.02 mm.
This type of never seen before morphology was grown by a simple hydrothermal reaction. Out of a plethora of materials available in the literature, this unique morphology was obtained in an attempt to synthesize CoS2nanomaterials. We believe that this type of nano-micro structure represents futuristic battle stations, which are ready to combat anytime. Image width is ~ 0.02 mm.
Floating Zinc Lotus
Shayan Kaviani, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
The image presents a flower-like zinc oxide nanostructure, grown on zinc-oxide nanowires, with wurtzite crystal phase. The ZnO flowers and nanowires are produced using chemical batch deposition (CBD) technique. The image is colored as a purple lotus flower floating on water. The image width is 0.030 mm.
The image presents a flower-like zinc oxide nanostructure, grown on zinc-oxide nanowires, with wurtzite crystal phase. The ZnO flowers and nanowires are produced using chemical batch deposition (CBD) technique. The image is colored as a purple lotus flower floating on water. The image width is 0.030 mm.
The Micropastita
Kanit Hantanasirisakul, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
The micropastita is a scanning electron microscope image of a metallic fabric used for wearable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding application. Typically, a metal foil such as aluminum or copper is used to protect electronic devices against electromagnetic waves to enhance device performance and stability. However, wearing cloth made of aluminum foil won’t be so comfortable (except you need it for your Halloween costume!). Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing fabric with metallicity (high electronic conductivity) for wearable EMI shielding applications. The width of each “micropasta” is 0.01 mm.
The micropastita is a scanning electron microscope image of a metallic fabric used for wearable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding application. Typically, a metal foil such as aluminum or copper is used to protect electronic devices against electromagnetic waves to enhance device performance and stability. However, wearing cloth made of aluminum foil won’t be so comfortable (except you need it for your Halloween costume!). Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing fabric with metallicity (high electronic conductivity) for wearable EMI shielding applications. The width of each “micropasta” is 0.01 mm.
Sweet Tubes
Ricardo Tranquilin, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Brazil
The general idea of this work is the association of nature with microscopic images, both in their shapes and colors, so it is possible to converge the microscopic world to the common world, where so we can show that this small world works with the same forms of the macro world. Also take a special look at the images that exhibit abstract forms. The material presented in this image is tungsten trioxide.
The general idea of this work is the association of nature with microscopic images, both in their shapes and colors, so it is possible to converge the microscopic world to the common world, where so we can show that this small world works with the same forms of the macro world. Also take a special look at the images that exhibit abstract forms. The material presented in this image is tungsten trioxide.
Ti3CN Antelope Canyon
Kanit Hantanasirisakul, MSE, Drexel University, USA
The curved structure presented in the picture is a porous Ti3CN Mxene. The width of the “cliff” on the right-hand side of the picture is approximately 20 microns. The author tries to match the MXene microporous structure with the Antelope Canyon in Nevada. MXene and antelope do have something in common in the sense that they are made from soil (clay for MXene).
The curved structure presented in the picture is a porous Ti3CN Mxene. The width of the “cliff” on the right-hand side of the picture is approximately 20 microns. The author tries to match the MXene microporous structure with the Antelope Canyon in Nevada. MXene and antelope do have something in common in the sense that they are made from soil (clay for MXene).
Nano Lord Voldemort
Armin VahidMohammadi, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
Material: 2D Ti2C MXene
Image size: The image width is ~ 0.008 mm.
Image description by the scientist/artist: SEM image of the stacked nanosheets of Ti2C MXene material, representing the face of Lord Voldemort character in Harry Potter movies. Ti2C MXene material is synthesized by selective etching of the Al atoms from Ti2AlC MAX phase and is a promising material for energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. The SEM image was taken using JEOL JSM-7000F Scanning Electron Microscope and colored and visualized using computer software without any manipulation to the original image.
Material: 2D Ti2C MXene
Image size: The image width is ~ 0.008 mm.
Image description by the scientist/artist: SEM image of the stacked nanosheets of Ti2C MXene material, representing the face of Lord Voldemort character in Harry Potter movies. Ti2C MXene material is synthesized by selective etching of the Al atoms from Ti2AlC MAX phase and is a promising material for energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. The SEM image was taken using JEOL JSM-7000F Scanning Electron Microscope and colored and visualized using computer software without any manipulation to the original image.
A Polymer Whirled
Sarah Gleeson, Drexel University, Pennsylvania, USA.
This image shows the cross-sectional edge of a polycaprolactone coating, captured with a scanning electron microscope. This coating creates a neutral surface on a polycaprolactone-block-poly (acrylic acid) single crystal film, to prevent mineral overgrowth when placed into a body-mimicking ion solution. The semicrystalline polymer film is typically characterized by hard jagged faces and distinct striated lamellae. It was striking to see this portion of the coating which had coiled upon itself after being fractured, creating beautiful concentric wrinkles against a smooth polymer backdrop. Image width is 0.055 mm.
This image shows the cross-sectional edge of a polycaprolactone coating, captured with a scanning electron microscope. This coating creates a neutral surface on a polycaprolactone-block-poly (acrylic acid) single crystal film, to prevent mineral overgrowth when placed into a body-mimicking ion solution. The semicrystalline polymer film is typically characterized by hard jagged faces and distinct striated lamellae. It was striking to see this portion of the coating which had coiled upon itself after being fractured, creating beautiful concentric wrinkles against a smooth polymer backdrop. Image width is 0.055 mm.
Evolution of peptide nanostructures
Charalampos Pappas, Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, USA
This TEM image represents an example of a supramolecular peptide nanostructure that was discovered using a dynamic peptide library approach, where peptide sequences are dynamically exchanged, giving rise to a competition of sequences and resulting in the spontaneous selection and formation of stable self-assembling nanostructures. Image width is 0.0002mm.
This TEM image represents an example of a supramolecular peptide nanostructure that was discovered using a dynamic peptide library approach, where peptide sequences are dynamically exchanged, giving rise to a competition of sequences and resulting in the spontaneous selection and formation of stable self-assembling nanostructures. Image width is 0.0002mm.
Piezoelectric Nanoyarn Galaxy
Ariana Levitt, MSE, Drexel University, USA
An electrospun PVDF-TrFe nanoyarn. PVDF-TrFe is a polymer capable of forming piezoelectric nanofibers without the need for additional poling. Nanoyarns are higher-order architectures of nanofìbers and are fabricated by twisting bundles of aligned nanofibers together during the electrospinning process.
An electrospun PVDF-TrFe nanoyarn. PVDF-TrFe is a polymer capable of forming piezoelectric nanofibers without the need for additional poling. Nanoyarns are higher-order architectures of nanofìbers and are fabricated by twisting bundles of aligned nanofibers together during the electrospinning process.