The same photographer has two other photographs[^1] which previously were ranked highly in the contest. All seem to focus on chemical reactions and are stunning.
Interestingly, the previous two—of a candle and match—used 2.5x magnification, where as this one required 20x magnification, which just goes to show as to how tiny the printer mechanics really are.
Interesting, the Match Strike (2nd place in 2023) seems counter intuitive to me. The flames are leading the match with the following edge clearly visible.
When I first saw his inkjet shot I refused to believe it wasn't completely CGI. So, I take it there is a degree of artistic freedom to compose a shot that may not be indicative of the actual subject? Then the line is drawn with AI enhancement?
Absolutely, I'm not suggesting AI was used, just curious about the level of artistic creativity allowed when composing the image.
For me, colour enhancements are expected, compositions is where we leave reality. Either way, all of these images are an amazing insight into a world too small to see with the naked eye.
I still have misgivings that it is AI generated or modified, but assume that the judges have done their due diligence. I’m a little saddened that I now have to question things such as this.
Is it so adorable because of the eyes? I don't think spiders have pupils. That effect seems to be a reflection of the camera/lens/apparatus taking the picture, rather than the actual spider.
Yep, the entire field of MEMS is both outlandishly complex and fascinating. For those who are curious, take a quick look at https://courses.washington.edu/me557/nthu/mems.pdf, which gives a nice overview of the different mechanisms and manufacturing processes involved.
i'm not an expert but i think the word expansion here is referring to techniques they use to spread everything out in order to make it easier to see. someone told me that they use the same material that baby diapers are made out of which expands when you soak it in water.
Yes, sodium polyacrylate is used in both expansion microscopy and baby diapers.
However you also need a few other ingredients to ensure isotropic expansion, or otherwise the expanded sample isn't scaled uniformly in all axis and you get a skewed view of the sample.
basically: some aluminum extrusion for structure, some linear actuators for adjusting the position, and a nice camera with a nice objective. Plus he took apart the printer to get the sample in frame and controllable.
Thanks for sharing - what an incredible perspective on the mundane. Seriously seems like peering into an alien world and really it's just what's happen while someone sips their coffee and stares at a wall haha.
Anyone seen Thirteenth Floor that old 90s VR movie? Really reminds me of the power for that.
Inkjet printers are incredible technology taken for granted by how cheap the printing hardware has become in a short period of time. Printer companies moving towards rent seeking also doesn't help appreciate how incredible it is that for 50 bucks you can have technology that launches droplets with a precision measured in micrometers.
The edge of that sheet of paper looks like nothing I've seen before under the microscope when looking at edges of sheets of paper (it's a very easily accessible "small thing" to look at). Any paper I looked at was always far more irregular and fibrous, with many hanging fibers on the sides, never anything so homogeneous and clear cut.
This material looks more like the cushion pads that you'd find covering the chocolates in a chocolate box or similar application. I see the same patterns, with the plastic like top and bottom surfaces and, depending on the type, a "foamy" middle.
I read the description of the setup and that the paper was actually the moving part. Is it possible that he used a sturdier type of paper to take this strain?
I always try to convine my comments to the content of the article, but the captcha here has gone beyond all sense. It's presenting gen AI images of household items and asking me to identify e.g. the curtains... To prove that I'm human. It's literally a game of "guess what was in the prompt that generated this"... To prove that I'm human.
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[ 0.30 ms ] story [ 7.9 ms ] threadInterestingly, the previous two—of a candle and match—used 2.5x magnification, where as this one required 20x magnification, which just goes to show as to how tiny the printer mechanics really are.
[^1]: https://nikonsmallworld.com/people/ole-bielfeldt
When I first saw his inkjet shot I refused to believe it wasn't completely CGI. So, I take it there is a degree of artistic freedom to compose a shot that may not be indicative of the actual subject? Then the line is drawn with AI enhancement?
So I would presume it also refers to his other works?
For me, colour enhancements are expected, compositions is where we leave reality. Either way, all of these images are an amazing insight into a world too small to see with the naked eye.
https://www.nikonsmallworld.com/galleries/2026-photomicrogra...
[1] https://www.nikonsmallworld.com/galleries/2026-photomicrogra...
https://www.nikonsmallworld.com/galleries/2026-photomicrogra...
It's hard to believe this is a real photo. Our world truly is beautiful - across all scales!
this is just brain
However you also need a few other ingredients to ensure isotropic expansion, or otherwise the expanded sample isn't scaled uniformly in all axis and you get a skewed view of the sample.
It's very obviously not a standard inkjet printer setup, but if you poke around you'll see some custom rigs that make it come together.
I would like to redo the setup myself.
Anyone seen Thirteenth Floor that old 90s VR movie? Really reminds me of the power for that.
This material looks more like the cushion pads that you'd find covering the chocolates in a chocolate box or similar application. I see the same patterns, with the plastic like top and bottom surfaces and, depending on the type, a "foamy" middle.
I read the description of the setup and that the paper was actually the moving part. Is it possible that he used a sturdier type of paper to take this strain?
PR speak is so awful. You made it a whole seven words without talking about yourself, congratulations.