10, 60, 200

Press and Seal Saran Wrap

2006-11-14T19:44:00.000-05:00

Sample: Press and Seal Sran Wrap
Source: Piggly Wiggly

If you've never used this stuff, you should - it's a miracle of modern technology. These images show how this works - the sheet is dimpled, and somehow adhesives have been selectively applied to the troughs. It's not sticky until you press the troughs down onto the surface.

Awesome.

Press and Seal, 10x.

Press and Seal, 60x.

Press and Seal, 200x.

Press and Seal underside, 10x.

Press and Seal underside, 60x.

Press and Seal underside, 200x.

Microsoft Office 2003 CD

2006-10-13T07:36:00.000-04:00

Sample: The holographic copy-protection on a Microsoft Office CD.
Source: The nice boys out at Redmond.

Jesus. There's more copy-protection on this CD than most nations have on their money. Counterfeit money? Bad. Counterfeit Office CD? Who cares?

Microsoft cares, apparently.

Office CD, 10x.

Office CD, 60x.

Office CD, 200x. Those little "platelets" are part of the 3D illusion.

Office CD, 60x. "Genuine Microsoft."

Office CD, 200x. "Microsoft," closeup on the S.

Office CD, 10x. Office logo.

Office CD, 60x. Office logo.

Office CD, 200x. No, it's not out of focus.

Office CD, 10x. "Microsoft."

Office CD, 60x. "Microsoft."

Office CD, 200x. "Microsoft."

Office CD, 60x. "Genuine."

Tip 'n Tell

2006-09-12T16:16:00.000-04:00

Sample: A "Tip 'n Tell" package snitcher.
Source: There was some box in a dumpster. Probably was fragile. Looked awfully damaged.

The Tip 'n Tell is a great idea. It's an almost unsettlingly phallic device that's half full of blue beads. (blue balls?)

The front is clear, and the back is adhesive. Basically, the idea is that if the package is manhandled or tipped, the blue beads enter the arrow and let the recipient know that it got the Samsonite Gorilla tratment.

Tip and Tell, 10x.

Tip and Tell, 60x.

Tip and Tell, 200x.

Tip and Tell, 60x.

Tip and Tell, 200x.

Tip and Tell, 60x.

Tip and Tell, 200x.

Tip and Tell, 60x. Transmitted Light.

Tip and Tell, 200x. Transmitted Light.

Tip and Tell, 60x.

Tip and Tell, 200x.

Metal Mesh

2006-09-06T18:28:00.000-04:00

Sample: A fine mesh screen.
Source: Scavenged from an ancient TV that was exploded all over the back of the art building.

Mesh, 10x.

Mesh, 60x.

Mesh, 200x. Compare to the TEM grid, which is a REALLY fine mesh.

Hacksaw Blade

2006-09-04T15:44:00.000-04:00

Sample: The blade of a hacksaw.
Source: Home Depot.

The hacksaw is one of Mankind's finest tools. Sturdy, versatile, destructive. The blades are refillable, and it's easily portable. No batteries required.

Hacksaw Blade, 10x.

Hacksaw Blade, 60x.

Hacksaw Blade, 200x.

Fax Lensbar

2006-09-02T22:45:00.000-04:00

Sample: This bar of lenses dwells withing your fax machine, ready to faithfully reproduce your inages.
Source: A fax machine, disassembled Office Space style.

Fax Lenses, 10x.

Fax Lenses, 60x.

Fax Lenses, 200x.

Fax Lenses, 10x. Backlit.

Backlit Fax Lenses, 60x.

Tie

2006-08-29T19:33:00.000-04:00

Sample: A nice tie.
Sample: A gift!

Tie, 10x.

Tie, 60x.

Tie, 200x.

CD Player Innards

2006-08-26T21:31:00.000-04:00

Sample: The innards from a CD player.
Source: Out of a dumpster. Trash into treasure and all that.

CD player unit, 10x.

CD player unit, 60x. Top optics.

CD player unit, 60x. Laser emitter (left).

CD player unit, 60x. Sensor.

CD player unit, 60x. This image is a composite of the previous three, to afford a greater depth of field.

CD player emitter, 200x.

Cd player detector, 200x.

Butterfly

2006-08-24T10:52:00.000-04:00

Sample: A butterfly I found. A little dry, but still good enough to get a few images from.
Source: Windowsill. Cat almost ate it.

Whoa, long time no post. Who knew grad school would keep you this busy?

Butterfly wing, 200x.

Butterfly wing, 60x.

Butterfly wing, 200x.

Butterfly wing, 60x. Transmitted light.

Butterfly wing, 200x. Transmitted light.

Butterfly head, 60x.

Eye, 200x.

"Eyebrow," 60x.

Security Features of the $5

2006-06-14T19:09:00.000-04:00

Sample: Five dollars, US.
Source: My wallet, for a brief period of time.

$5 Bill, 10x.

$5 Bill, UV Illumination. 10x.

Cookie

2006-06-13T11:27:00.000-04:00

Sample: A cookie. Tasty, but not delicious.
Source: DK's Grill, Beloit College.

Man, that was too many images at once last time. I apologize for what must have become unacceptable loading times.

Cookie, 10x.

Cookie, 60x.

Cookie, 200x.

Silicon Valley

2006-06-11T12:41:00.000-04:00

Sample: A bunch of silicon wafers, in different stages of computer chip development.
Source: Mike. Thanks, Mike!

No explanation with these, there's too many of them. Just enjoy!

Oh, yeah.

White anglo saxon protestant

2006-06-09T11:02:00.000-04:00

Sample: A common wasp.
Source: Typically the suburbs, but becoming more common in urban areas.

Wasp, 10x.

Wasp Abdomen, 60x.

Wasp Abdomen, 200x.

Wasp Eye, 60x.

Wasp Eye, 200x.

Wasp Antenna, 60x.

Wasp Antenna, 200x.

Wasp Stinger, 60x.

Wasp Stinger, 200x.

Wasp Stinger, 60x.

Wasp Stinger, 200x.

CD Laser Emitter

2006-06-07T21:40:00.000-04:00

Sample: A CD laser emitter.
Source: Someone sacrificed their drive for Science. A worthy sacrifice.

CD Laser Emitter, 10x.

CD Laser Emitter, 60x. Top window and lens.

CD Laser Emitter, 60x.

CD Laser Emitter, 200x. A mosaic of many images.

Electricity

2006-06-06T15:57:00.000-04:00

Sample: Pure, raw power. Technically, it's a plasma, not electricity. But who's counting?
Source: Well, the juice came from the wall socket. Probably from the Rock River hydroelectric plant.

Take 110 volt wall current.

Add a high-voltage neon sign transformer (the sign used to say "Marine Hardware," and used to be on the wall of a restaurant called the Crystal Rose in Littleton, CO. Later, this building was turned into a haunted house, and then torn down. Somewhere in there, I ended up with the transformer. Come up with a story about how it happened. Involve ninjas, and possibly Dick Cheney.)

What do you get?

About 35,000 volts of raw, arcing power.

Electricity, 60x. This is what's known as a "corona" discharge. As opposed to the images that will follow, this is electricity leaking from the leads into the air.

Electricity, 60x. A proper arc, electrode to electrode.

Notice the horizontal lines? You can't have that much arcing without producing a heck of a lot of radio noise, which does not agree with the microscope electronics.

Electricity, 60x. At this point, my surroundings began to smell like ozone. I figured I should stop while I was ahead.

Superfloss

2006-06-01T14:01:00.000-04:00

Sample: So-called "super" floss.
Source: Conifer, CO

This stuff is loose and springy. You can stretch it a lot, which is kind of unusual for dental floss.

Floss, 10x.

Relaxed Floss, 60x.

Relaxed Floss, 200x.

Tense Floss, 60x.

Tense Floss, 200x.

Velcro

2006-05-29T20:20:00.000-04:00

Sample: Self-adhesive velcro squares.
Source: Home Depot.

Hooks and loops. Technology mimics nature.

Loops, 10x.

Loops, 60x.

Loops, 200x.

Loops, 200x. From the side.

Hooks, 10x.

Hooks, 60x.

Hooks, 200x.

Hooks, 60x. From the side.

Hooks, 200x. From the side.

Drugs

2006-05-27T21:31:00.000-04:00

Sample: A pill, generic Aleve (Wal-Proxen).
Source: Walgreens.

Pill, 10x.

Pill, 60x.

Pill, 200x.

Thumbtack

2006-05-25T10:40:00.000-04:00

Sample: A transparent thumbtack viewed through crossed polarizing filters.
Source: Thumbtack: the floor of my office, polarizing filters: American Science and Surplus.

Polarized light is affected by its travel through a material. In crystals, this can serve as a way to ascertain their chemical identity (different chemicals rotate the polarity of the light in different amounts). In polymers and glasses, this can let you see the internal stress on the object, as different amounts of stress produce different bands of color.

Thumbtack, 10x.

Thumbtack, 60x.

Thumbtack, 200x.

BROOD X

2006-05-23T16:35:00.000-04:00

Sample: The unrelenting terror that is BROOD X.
Source: Unearthed from the Lovecraftian abyss, Beloit WI.

Once every seventeen years, BROOD X emerges from its subterranian lair, unleashing a brutal swarm upon the sunlit lands above. Though the lifespan of BROOD X is rather short, they still manage to accomplish their orgiastic frenzy of terror, producing a dormant population of pulsating repulsive mucosal larvae to rise against humanity in another seventeen years.

Witness the horror that is BROOD X, 10x.

Patches of venomous green appear in between rivers of inky black, 60x.

The all-seeing eye of BROOD X, 60x.

Each facet is a black hole of TERROR, yearning to consume every photon of fear emitted by an unsuspecting public. 200x.

No mere tool of man's science can hope to probe deep into the murky madness within. 200x.

The insipid underbelly of BROOD X, 10x.

Grasping, reaching, clawing. The two-pointed toes of BROOD X carry nothing but horror, yearning to earn a secure foothold on the madness within. 60x.

Itching and flexing in slobbering anticipation, 200x.

Short stubbly hairs convey information about the subtle vibrations of the aether, 200x.

Resembling a drooling mouth hungry at the idea of blood, this structure serves no discernable function. 60x.

Gibbering madness waits for those who seek the secrets of BROOD X! 200x.

The appearance of fragility cloaks the wing's true purpose. 10x.

They can propel the brood at mind-bending speeds. 60x.

A small river of color in a sea of insanity. 60x.

Beauty amongst the forest of horror that is BROOD X only serves to enhance its malevolence. 200x.

Further analysis of the wing brings new terrors into the light. 60x.

Stubby and hideous protrusions line every square inch of BROOD X. 200x.

As if to mock us, further illumination only highlights the hideous structures further. 60x.

Sharper relief on the spiny terrors, 200x.

At last, the end of this nightmarish journey into the world of BROOD X. Perhaps one day, we will be able to slow the devastating effects this hellacious species has on our collective consciousness, and yes, perhaps even our souls. (200x)

Match

2006-05-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

Sample: A match.
Source: A matchbox I found on the street.

Man, it's been a while. Like a fat man packed with shrimp, so has my week been packed with science. If I can get 'ole bessie (my other, less functional computer) up and running, expect a nice big series of pictures this weekend.

Match, 10x.

Match, 60x.

Match, 200x.

Burnt Match, 10x.

Burnt Match, 60x.

Burnt Match, 200x.

Blast from the Past

2006-05-11T14:54:00.000-04:00

Sample: A record. You know, those big black things, like frisbees but with music on them?
Source: Before my time, man.

Record, 10x.

Record, 60x.

Record, 200x.

Record, End-On. 60x.

Record, End-On. 200x. Too dark.

Record, End-On. 200x. Heavily modified from the previous image. Cheating? Perhaps. But I just couldn't get that image to come out right.

Orchid

2006-05-10T16:24:00.000-04:00

Sample: An orchid petal.
Source: This was in the refrigerator for some reason. Strange.

I love orchids. Fantastic colors, lovely symmetry. A great product of evolution.

Some of these images lack the crispness, contrast, and precision that I prefer from my pictures, but they nonetheless retain some aesthetic value.

Also, those little bumpy things all over the petal give me the willies, but they nonetheless retain some aesthetic value.

Orchid Petal, 10x.

Orchid Petal, 60x.

Orchid Petal, 60x. Transmitted light.

Orchid Petal, 60x.

Orchid Petal, 200x.

Orchid Petal, 200x.

Orchid Petal, 200x.

Orchid "Stem," 10x.

Orchid "Stem," 60x.

Orchid "Stem," 60x.

Orchid "Stem," 200x.

Data-Link

2006-05-09T15:37:00.001-04:00

Sample: A Timex Data-Link watch.
Source: My father.

These things were cool when they came out, and they're still cool now. A watch that has a built-in PDA of sorts. The coolest part was how your programmed it - the computer would flash patterns onto your screen, and a small photodetector would convey this information to the watch. Epileptics beware.

Data-Link, 10x.

Data-Link, 60x.

Data-Link Sensor, 200x.

Coral

2006-05-08T19:16:00.000-04:00

Sample: A hunk of coral.
Source: The ocean!

Another white object. Hooray themes!

Coral, 10x.

Coral, 60x.

Coral, 200x.

Cockatiel Feather

2006-05-07T20:40:00.000-04:00

Sample: A Cockatiel Feather.
Source: Contributed by Elisabeth, shed by her bird Hollywood. That bird has a crush on me, I think.

Cockatiel Feather, 10x.

Cockatiel Feather, 60x.

Cockatiel Feather, 200x.

Sand Dollar

2006-05-04T17:41:00.000-04:00

Sample: A Sand Dollar.
Source: Edisto Beach, SC.

Sand Dollar, 10x.

Sand Dollar, 60x.

Sand Dollar, 200x.

Fake Amber

2006-05-01T14:19:00.000-04:00

Sample: A ring of fakest amber.
Source: A girl I once knew... Who exactly it is I cannot recall.

Amber ring, 10x.

Amber Ring, 60x.

Amber Ring, 200x.

Tickets to Ride

2006-04-29T08:38:00.000-04:00

Sample: Two different German transportation tickets.
Source: One is from a Heidelberg bus, the other from the Ulm main train station.

To make up for Thursday's terrible post (I'm sorry to have infliced that on you), I figured I owed you a nice series of images, full of color. So here you are, a series of hologram-covered transportation passes from the convenient and inexpensive German public transportation system.

Heidelberg Bus Pass, 10x.

Heidelberg Bus Pass, 60x.

Heidelberg Bus Pass, 200x.

German Rail Pass, 10x.

German Rail Pass, 60x.

German Rail Pass, 200x.

German Rail Pass, 200x. Illuminated from a different angle.

German Rail Pass, 200x. Illuminated from a different angle.

Mystery post

2006-04-27T20:04:00.000-04:00

Sample: It's a mystery! Guess and win!

Mystery, 60x.

Printing

2006-04-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

Sample: Two printed objects.
Source: Blue is from one of those accursed subscription cards, yellow is from the offending magazine. Compare and contrast. A short quiz will be given next period.

Blue Printing, 10x.

Blue Printing, 60x.

Blue Printing, 200x.

Yellow Printing, 10x.

Yellow Printing, 60x.

Yellow Printing, 200x.

TEM Grid

2006-04-24T12:12:00.000-04:00

Sample: A 200 mesh copper transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid.
Source: Organishe Chemie III, Ulm, Germany.

Science!

A transmission electron microscope is a way of investigating objects much smaller than a wavelength of light. The general principle is similar - use a beam of electrons that is trransmitted through a copper mesh, but is stopped by your objects under study. You can see things as small as single atoms with a good enough instrument.

TEM Grid Back, 10x.

TEM Grid Back, 60x.

TEM Grid Back, 200x.

TEM Grid Front, 10x.

TEM Grid Front, 60x.

TEM Grid Front, 200x. Tiny holes! The diagonal across one of those squares is about a millimeter.

TEM Grid, 22,000x. These are nanoparticles of polyvinylcaprolactam (PVCL) and polyperfluorodecylmethacrylate (PPM). The large particles are mostly PVCL, and the small ones are PPM.

TEM Grid, 36,000x. I want one of these microscopes.

Snakeskin

2006-04-22T15:34:00.000-04:00

Sample: A snakeskin from a really big snake.
Source: A garden in Colorado, graciously contributed by Elisabeth.

Snakeskin, 10x.

Snakeskin, 60x.

Snakeskin, 200x.

Snakeskin, 10x.

Snakeskin, 60x.

Snakeskin, 200x.

Moth

2006-04-21T20:14:00.000-04:00

Sample: A moth.
Source: Found dried up in the lab.

There are a few things I never get tired of seeing through the microscope, and one of them is scales on an insect's wing. There are a large population of beautiful yellow swallowtails here, and I would love to see one of them up close.

Moth, 10x.

Moth, 60x.

Moth, 200x.

Moth eye, 60x.

Moth eye, 200x.

Fax sensor

2006-04-20T19:45:00.000-04:00

Sample: The sensing element from a fax machine.
Source: A fax machine I went all Office Space on.

Fax sensor, 10x.

Fax sensor, 60x.

Fax sensor, 200x.

One Ring

2006-04-19T19:46:00.000-04:00

Sample: One Ring to rule them all. Well, one ring to look nice on a finger, anyway.
Source: The fires of Mount Doom. Well, not really. But it did come from Hawaii!

Graciously contributed by Michelle, and title inspired by swan_pr in a previous comment.

Ring, 10x.

Ring, 60x.

Ring, 200x.

Ring, 60x.

Ring, 60x.

Ring, 200x.

Fancy Necklace

2006-04-18T14:45:00.000-04:00

Sample: A necklace with multiple regions of interest.
Source: Anne Barkow

Necklace, 10x.

Faceted side, 60x.

Iridescent side, 60x.

Faceted side, 200x.

Iridescent side, 200x.

Dead Leaf

2006-04-17T21:21:00.000-04:00

Sample: A dead leaf.
Source: Near the brown plant, probably.

Dead Leaf, 10x.

Dead Leaf, 60x.

Dead Leaf, 200x.

Brown Plant

2006-04-16T20:19:00.000-04:00

Sample: A dry brown plant.
Source: Wright's Meadow, Beloit WI.

Brown Plant, 10x.

Brown Plant, 60x.

Brown Plant, 200x.

Ink Cartridge

2006-04-15T15:29:00.000-04:00

Sample: An ink cartridge from an inkjet printer.
Source: Chapin 3rd floor trash can, Beloit College.

Ink cartridges for printers is a huge racket. It's one of the best examples I can come up with of free market economics royally hosing the consumers. Although, they can deliver some pretty awesome inks.

Ink cartridge, 10x.

Ink cartridge, 10x.

Ink cartridge, 60x.

Ink cartridge, 200x.

Ink cartridge "bullseye", 60x.

Ink cartridge "bullseye", 200x.

Busy week!

2006-04-10T21:41:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the lack of posts, but my week thus far has been spent writing a paper about how the surface of these:

(ice crystals)

inside of

(polar stratospheric clouds)

can cause the catalytic decomposition of ozone.

Well, really, the paper is all about the unique surface properties of ice, but I'm the only one interested in that.

But here's some ice everyone can enjoy!

(snow)

So, stay tuned. Be back on Thursday.

Reflective Sticker

2006-04-06T16:50:00.000-04:00

Sample: A highly reflective sticker of the highway variety.
Source: Box of similar stickers, contributed by Ben Zank.

If you've ever driven on certain roads in the US (sorry Canadians, but I have no idea if similar things are used up there), you might have noticed that the labels on certain telephone poles or electrical boxes seemed to appear unnaturally bright and reflective.

To acheive this effect, tiny glass spheres are added to the yellow pigment put on the sticker. Each sphere acts like a tiny lens, taking in light, bouncing it off the pigment, and reflecting it back out, at almost the same angle it came in at. This means maximum brightness to the observer. A similar effect can be seen on a dew-covered lawn in the late morning. Called Heiligenschein (I hope I spelled that right), this has the effect of making it look like an angelic halo of light surrounds the head of your shadow.

Highway Sticker, 10x.

Highway Sticker, 60x.

Highway Sticker, 200x.

(click to enlarge)

Highway stickers, 1x. Note the "ADD" on the front bumper and the starburst pattern around the passenger door handle.

Green Plant

2006-04-05T08:26:00.000-04:00

Sample: A plant, green in nature.
Source: Wright's Field, Shoshana Ellis.

Plant, 10x.

Plant, 60x.

Plant, 200x.

Panoramic panopoly of pixelated phone photos

2006-04-04T17:16:00.000-04:00

Sample: Display from a cellphone, an old laptop, and a new laptop.
Source: Cellphone - Ran it through the washer. Whoops.
Old laptop - Christmas present given to me in the '90s.
New laptop - Karla Lightfield

Dang. This cellphone has a display comparable to what was state of the art back when I got that old laptop. Makes you think.

Phone screen, 10x.

Phone screen, 60x.

Phone screen, 200x. The field of view at 200x encompasses about 1mm (across). This makes each pixel 1/15 of a millimeter wide.

Phone screen backside, 60x.

Phone screen backside, 200x.

Old laptop pixels, 200x. The phone pixels look even smaller. This photo has a strange focus because I was holding the microscope up manually. I'm surprised it looks this good.

New laptop pixels, 200x. These pixels are as large in their long dimension as the others were in their short dimension. One day, we will not be able to see individual pixels, even with a microscope. And that will be a fine day indeed.

Although, do you really need 1280x1024 resolution on your cellphone?

I think not.

Feather

2006-04-03T16:31:00.000-04:00

Sample: A feather.
Source: A bird. I'm no more an ornithologist than I am a botanist.

Feathers are fascinating structures. It is assumed they evolved from scales. If this is true, they have evolved a long way. Biologically, they are interesting because birds can regenerate then fantastically fast. Chemically, this feather is nothing special, but peacocks and other birds employ fascinating chemical or nanotechnological tricks to display their brilliant colors. For example, red parrots use a pigment that is found nowhere else in the natural world.

Kind of beats dressing up and going to bar, doesn't it? "Hey baby, I'm colored by a pigment found nowhere else in nature."

Well, it'd work on me, at any rate.

Feather, 10x.

Feather, 60x.

Feather, 200x.

Feather, separated. 60x.

Feather, separated. 200x.

Magnolia Petal

2006-04-02T19:14:00.000-04:00

Sample: A petal from a magnolia tree.
Source: Magnolia tree, Beloit, WI.

I was unable to get good sharpness on this one. Still looks nice, though,

Flower Petal, 10x.

Petal, 60x.

Petal, 60x.

Petal, 200x.

Petal, 200x.

Computer Processor

2006-04-01T17:56:00.000-05:00

Sample: The brains of an old computer.
Source: Intel, if I remember correctly.

Intel... Outside?

Processor, 10x.

Processor, 60x.

Processor, 60x.

Processor, 200x.

Processor, 200x.

Processor, 60x.

Processor, 200x.

Speaker Cone

2006-03-31T08:14:00.000-05:00

Sample: The woven paper (fabric?) cone from an old speaker.
Source: A dumpster.

Speaker Cone, 10x.

Speaker Cone, 60x.

Speaker Cone, 200x.

Aloe

2006-03-30T20:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm back. After a long and pretty crappy week, I'm back with the 'scope.

So I dearly apologize to my readers. All three of you.

Sample: A cross-section of an aloe plant.
Source: Where does aloe come from? Arizona? Yeah, there. Arizona.

Aloe, 10x.

Aloe, 60x.

Aloe, 200x.

Aloe, 200x.

Aloe, 200x, Polarized Light.

Ring Stone

2006-03-24T22:55:00.000-05:00

Sample: A stone from a ring.
Source: Vague memories of searching for this under my desk surface. Sho, perhaps?

Ring stone, 10x. It's in the shape of a heart. Awww.

Ring stone, 60x.

Ring stone, 200x.

Dandelion Seed

2006-03-19T15:40:00.000-05:00

Sample: A seed on the wind.
Source: Nature.

Another of my personal favorites. Check out the last image.

Dandelion seed, 10x.

Seed, 60x.

Seed, 200x.

The naughty bits of a flower.

2006-03-18T11:13:00.000-05:00

Sample: The pornography of spring.
Source: Nature, the dirtiest slumlord of all.

Warning! Adult content! HOT HOT HOT! Photosynthesis inside! Exposed stamens! Pistils engorged with pollen! 18+ only!

Public indecency is striking everywhere these days. You can see everything but the ovaries. 10x.

Hoo-whee. That a stamen in your pocket, or are you just happy to pollinate me? 60x.

Check out the pistils on that one! Hoo-doggie. Those things go all the way up? 200x.

At ease, soldier. 200x.

Sweet Ghandi's ghost. Pollen like that CAN'T be real. She must have one a hell of a plastic botanist. 200x.

Fuse

2006-03-15T09:11:00.000-05:00

Sample: Green "Safety" Firework Fuse.
Source: Black Cat "Water Dynamite".

Ever taken a close look at a fuse? When you take a closer look, it's easy to see how it is made. A flammable core (like a string permeated with black powder) is wrapped in a dental floss thin sheath to keep it flexible. Do not aim at face. Light on ground and get away.

Firework Fuse, 10x.

Firework Fuse, 60x.

Firework Fuse, 200x. You can tell that this fuse has been lacquered to make it waterproof. Mosquito larvae, watch out.

Leaf

2006-03-14T08:50:00.000-05:00

Sample: A plant leaf.
Source: Some plant. I'm no botanist.

Spring is in the air! Well, spring is in the air in this part of the country, anyhow. To commemorate this momentous occastion, I present for your viewing pleasure the humble plant leaf. At first, it shows us the true glory of spring, with deep green cells refracting and reflecting applied light into little shimmering facets of white. Then, by careful application of science, we can boil it in harsh solvents (ethanol) and stain it with poisonous chemicals (iodine) to strip away the aesthetic obfuscations and reveal the nuclear secrets of the cell. (Hint - the secret is DNA)

Leaf, unstained. 10x.

Leaf, unstained. 60x.

Leaf, unstained. 200x.

Leaf, unstained. These are the "veins" of the leaf, that carry nutrients to the cells. 60x.

Leaf veins, unstained. 200x.

Leaf veins, unstained. Taken through cross-polarized filters to add contrast and a sense of mystery. 60x.

Leaf veins, unstained. 200x, polarized light.

Leaf, bleached and stained. 10x.

Leaf, stained. 60x.

Leaf, stained, 60x.

Leaf, stained. 200x. The little black spots are the cellular nuclei.

Medical Tape

2006-03-13T08:40:00.000-05:00

Back in the saddle again!

Sample: A piece of gauze tape, the kind they give you at the hospital after you gouge your hand with a bagel knife.
Source: The Hospital, Beloit WI.

Medical Tape, 10x.

Medical Tape, 60x.

Medical Tape, 200x.

Flask of Science

2006-03-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

Yeah, this darn thing will only let me send one picture at a time. Until I can finesse it back into functionality, here's a picture of a flask full of science.

Curses!

2006-03-10T12:29:00.000-05:00

Blast! Rats! Darn! Heck hell crap!

No matter how hard I try, I can't get Hello to upload any pictures.Sincere aplogies to those of you directed here by Tiffany, but my life is at the mercy of software.

Belated Postage

2006-03-09T09:53:00.000-05:00

Apologies for the lack of posts so far today and yesterday. I've been traveling, and I can't find a wireless connection reliable enough to put any pictures up. Expect two posts later tonight!

Hairy Pod

2006-03-07T08:21:00.000-05:00

Sample: Some sort of hair-covered plant seed pod.
Source: Somewhere in the wide wilderness of Wisconsin.

Hmmm... Let's see if I can't diversify my search terms a bit.

Hairy Pod, 10x.

Hairy Pod, 60x.

Hairy Pod, 200x.

Tylenol Capsule

2006-03-06T11:27:00.000-05:00

Sample: Tylenol "Rapid Release" Capsule.
Source: CVS Pharmacy, Columbia SC.

I'm sure you've seen the ads for these. Laser-Drilled Holes! Quick Release!

Well, the holes are pretty cool to look at. Unfortunately, they do nothing.

I thought to myself "how cool would it be if I could dissolve the Tylenol from the inside and leave the capsule untouched?"

It would be pretty cool.

So I got some absolute alcohol from the lab, hoping that I could selectively dissolve the drug interior without affecting the gelatin capsule. Imagine my surprise when, upon adding the capsule to the solution, the entire grey band immediately disintegrated off the pill. It's been in the alcohol for about a week now. The red and blue are still untouched. The pill? Untouched.

The holes are for show. The real material miracle is in the grey band.

Tylenol Rapid Release Capsule, 10x.

Tylenol Rapid Release Capsule, 60x.

Tylenol Quick Dissolve Capsule, 200x.

Peacock Feather

2006-03-05T10:07:00.000-05:00

Sample: A peacock feather.
Source: Thanks to Anne, who I think is in the Galapagos right now.

Peacock feathers are colored because of optical interference arising from thousands of tiny platelike layers inside each tiny feather. This is the same phenomenon that gives the scarab beetle and many other insects their iridescent qualities.

Hopefully Intel will be listening to my letters and begin development of the QX-2000 Digital Blue Scanning Electron Micoscope soon. I'd really like to see those plates up close.

Back of a Peacock Feather, 10x.

Back of a Peacock Feather, 60x.

Back of a Peacock Feather, 200x.

Peacock Feather, 10x.

Peacock Feather, 60x.

Peacock Feather, 200x.

Horn of a Sheep

2006-03-04T18:32:00.000-05:00

Sample: A cross-sectional slice of sheep horn (antler?).
Source: Thanks to Akane for letting me borrow this. I think she got this from Iceland when she was working at a truck stop there.

Sheep Horn, 10x.

Sheep Horn, 60x.

Sheep Horn, 200x.

Sparkly Sticker

2006-03-03T11:22:00.000-05:00

Sample: A sticker with multicolored pseudoholographic facets.
Source: I have the feeling this came off the back of a package of meat. It's quite a strong feeling, so I think I'll have to go with it.

Sparkly Sticker, 10x.

Sparkly Sticker, 60x.

Sparkly Sticker, 200x.

Ugly Tie

2006-03-02T16:34:00.000-05:00

Sample: An ugly orangey-brown tie.
Source: Goodwill, where ties go to die.

Man. This tie is even ugly up close.

Ugly Tie, 10x.

Ugly Tie, 60x.

Ugly Tie, 200x.

Water Droplet on Teflon Shirt

2006-03-01T16:11:00.000-05:00

Sample: A water droplet on a Teflon-coated shirt
Source: The shirt was from my closet, the water was from the tap.

Teflon-coated clothing is all the rage nowadays, and for good reason. It's pure awesomeness. Water bounces off like bullets off of Superman or facts off of George Bush.

Tumbleweeds roll by. A solitary cricket chirps.

...Seriously, though. They are godsends to the laboratory scientist. Have a presentation? Need to do a reaction with dyes? No problem! Dress nice and never have to worry.

Water Droplet, 10x.

Water Droplet, 60x.

Water Droplet, 200x.

Zip Disk

2006-02-28T17:55:00.000-05:00

Sample: A Zip Disk.
Source: My desk.

Hexagons.

Yeah.

Zip Disk Window, 10x.

Zip Disk Window, 60x.

Zip Disk Window, 200x.

Biting Beetle

2006-02-27T08:28:00.000-05:00

Sample: A Japanese Biting Beetle.
Source: The Great Outdoors.

Meet Pure Evil, ladies and gentlemen. It looks like a harmless orange ladybug, but on the inside it is a cold black ball of malice and hate. They appear in droves in the summer. Unlike real ladybugs, they bite. Hard. And if you crush them, they release a foul-smelling goo that is extremely difficult to wash out. This one met a woman I like to call Sweet Lady Sewer shortly after its little photo shoot.

Biting Beetle, 10x.

Biting Beetle, 60x.

The Face Of Evil, 200x.

Brita Filter Innards

2006-02-26T10:51:00.000-05:00

Sample: The innards of a "Brita" pitcher-type water filter.
Source: Free Box, Beloit College.

As far as I can tell, there are two components to this pitcher. The black stuff is activated charcoal, which wicks organic impurities and foul tastes out of the water. The green spherical stuff is some sort of ion-exchange resin, which scavenges nasties like lead, cadmium, and mercury, and replaces them with something benign, like potassium or sodium.

Brita Stuff, 10x.

Brita Stuff, 60x.

Activated Charcoal, 200x.

Ion Exchange Resin, 200x.

Ion Exchange Resin, 60x.

Ion Exchange Resin, 200x.

Cork

2006-02-25T10:56:00.000-05:00

Sample: The cork backing in a metal ruler.
Source: A ruler I found on the sidewalk.

Is this real cork? I have no idea. Looks like some kind of cork-like foam.

Cork, 10x.

Cork, 60x.

Cork, 200x.

Crab Shell

2006-02-24T08:10:00.000-05:00

Sample: Red Rock Crab carapace.
Source: Wright's Beach, CA.

It could be from the same crab. But maybe not.

Crab shell, 10x.

Crab Shell, 60x.

Crab Shell, 200x.

Halogen Filament

2006-02-23T07:49:00.000-05:00

Sample: A metal filament from a halogen bulb.
Source: My desk lamp.

"Halogen" bulbs operate on the same basic principle as your conventional incandescent bulbs. Electricity flows through a tungsten filament, heating it and causing it to glow. Halogen bulbs, however, run at a much higher temperature (hence all the warnings about touching them, kepping flammables away, etc.) In fact, these bulbs are hot enough to slowly evaporate away their filaments. The halogen moniker comes from the presence of a tiny amount of iodine vapor present in the otherwise near-vaccuum of the bulb. Tungsten evaporated from the filament reacts with the iodine, which assists in redepositing back on the filament, extending the life of the bulb.

The 200x image here is another one of my personal favorites. Science as art.

Filament, 10x.

Filament, 60x.

Filament, 200x.

Tiny little flower

2006-02-22T07:46:00.000-05:00

Sample: A miniscule blue blossom from a lone spring-bound plant.
Source: The ground, Outside.

Spring is not quite in the air yet, but some plants don't know that. I just don't have the heart to ruin it for them.

Tiny little flower, 10x.

Flower, 60x.

Flower, 200x.

Flower innards, 200x.

Flower Petal, 60x.

Flower Petal, 200x.

Kumquat

2006-02-21T07:29:00.000-05:00

Sample: A kumquat, a small tart fruit.
Source: Anne Barkow.

Kumquat, 10x.

Kumquat, 60x.

Kumquat, 200x.

Kumquat Slice, 10x.

Kumquat Slice, 60x.

Kumquat Slice, 200x.

Nintendo Chip

2006-02-20T08:11:00.000-05:00

Sample: A chip of some kind taken from a Nintendo cartridge.
Source: Super Mario Brothers/Duck Hunt cartridge.

This came from a broken cartridge from Goodwill. I always wondered what was in these things. Perhaps someday I'll figure out the trick to get the chip out without severely damaging it.

Nintendo Chip, 10x.

Nintendo Chip, 60x.

Nintendo Chip, 200x.

Nintendo Chip, 200x.

Screw

2006-02-19T18:14:00.000-05:00

Sample: A nail with balls.
Source: A hardware store... With balls.

This is one hardcore nail.

Screw, 10x.

Screw, 60x.

Screw, 200x.

Skittle

2006-02-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

Sample: A skittle.
Source: Probably some bag of skittles I had once. I bet I dropped this one.

To make up for the spider, how about... Candy!

I'd love to see that machine that paints the "S" onto the skittle.

Skittle, 10x.

Skittle, 60x.

Skittle, 200x.

Arachnaphobia personified

2006-02-17T18:33:00.000-05:00

Sample: Spider.
Source: Beloit College glassblowing lab.

Biological critters are hard to image because of their constant movement. Perhaps one day, I will find a larger spider that will move less and be able to obtain truly terrifying photos.

Spider, 10x.

Spider from the bottom, 60x.

Spider bottom, 200x.

Spider face, 60x.

Spider fangs, 200x.

Spider fangs 200x 2.

Spider face top, 60x.

Spider face top, 200x.

Titanium!

2006-02-16T20:40:00.000-05:00

Sample: Titanium wire.
Source: Old-school flashbulb.

In the day before compact high-voltage charging circuits and xenon flashtubes, the illumination for cameras came from a small one-use class ampuole filled with titanium wire and oxygen. A small battery was linked to the shutter and a small black powder pellet inside the flashbulb. Triggering the release triggers the charge, which makes the titanium oxidize. Titanium is an extremely reactive metal, and oxidation releases a bundle of energy in the form of light and heat. They commonly caused fires and severe burns.

Titanium, 10x.

Titanium, 60x.

Titanium, 200x.

Candy Heart

2006-02-15T14:43:00.000-05:00

Sample: Chalk-flavored candy token of affection.
Source: L'amour.

Happy belated Valentine's Day, microscope fans!

Forgive the lateness of this post. I am a regular procrasanova.

Candy Heart, 10x.

Candy Heart, 60x.

Candy Heart, 200x.

Rocks

2006-02-14T13:38:00.000-05:00

Sample: Some rocks with neat features.
Source: Wright's Beach, Sacramento CA.

Grey rock with pink speckles, 10x.

Grey rock, pink speckle. 60x.

Red rock with quartz veins, 10x.

Red rock, quartz vein, 60x.

Red rock, quartz vein. 200x.

CODL Security Feature

2006-02-13T12:53:00.000-05:00

Sample: Colorado drivers license microprinting.
Source: Colorado Department of Vehicular Frustration.

Dat's some tiny text, mon.

Colorado Drivers License, 10x. See anything interesting yet?

Colorado Drivers License Microprinting, 60x.

Colorado Drivers License Microprinting, 200x.

Black and White Negative

2006-02-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

Sample: Black and White film negative.
Source: Film obtained and developed at Beloit College, photo taken in Sacramento, CA.

Ducks!

Black and White Negative, 10x.

Black and White Negative, 60x.

Black and White Negative, 200x.

Kinko's Smartcard

2006-02-11T13:08:00.000-05:00

Sample: A Kinko's smartcard, disassembled for your viewing pleasure.
Source: Kinko's - Golden, CO.

It only had 10 cents left on it anyway.

Kinko's Smartcard, 10x.

Smartcard, 10x. After dissolution of card with acetone.

Back of the smartcard, 10x.

Back of the smartcard, 60x.

Smartcard chip, removed. 60x. Removal caused a great deal of damage, since my only choice was to roast it out with a torch.

Smartcard chip 200x mosaic.

Rock Crab Claw

2006-02-10T11:08:00.000-05:00

Sample: The claw of a red rock crab.
Source: Wright's Beach, CA.

Wright's Beach is the "most dangerous beach" in California. Considering there was only bits of crab, and not a whole crab, I am iclined to agree.

Rock Crab Claw, 10x.

Rock Crab Claw, 60x.

Rock Crab Claw, 200x.

Watch Gears

2006-02-09T08:12:00.000-05:00

Sample: Gears inside as cheap watch.
Source: Wal-Mart.

I was actually trying to get the quartz oscillator out of the watch, but I ended up crushing it. But these picture came out very well. They have a nice artistic feel to them.

Watch Gears, 10x.

Watch Gears, 60x.

Watch Gears, 200x.

Lenticular Sheet

2006-02-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

Sample: A World Series commemorative lenticular sheet.
Source: Free box, garage sale.

A lenticular sheet is one of those small cards (or sometimes cereal boxes) that look like they are moving or change displays when you look at them from different angles. These sheets have two components: the animation part, which is a series of strips making up the respective parts of the animation, and a sheet of cylindrical lenses covering up the strips. When you change your angle relative to the surface of the sheet, the light refracting through the lens displays a different part of the animation, making it appear to move.

"World Series" Lenticular Sheet, 10x.

"World Series" Lenticular Sheet, 60x.

"World Series" Lenticular Sheet Lens, 60x.

"World Series" Lenticular Sheet Lens, 200x.

"World Series" Lenticular Sheet Lens (End-On), 60x.

"World Series" Lenticular Sheet Lens (End-On) 200x.

Cotton T-Shirt and Microfiber Shirt

2006-02-06T10:06:00.000-05:00

Sample: A standard 100% cotton T-Shirt and a blue Teflon-coated 70% Acetate Polynosic/30% Polyester microfiber dress shirt.
Source: The floor, the closet.

This is sort of an "old vs. new" kind of thing. The old trusty wardrobe workhorse, the cotton tee versus the flashy technologically sophisticated smoother-than-silk modern wonder.

T-Shirt, 10x.

T- Shirt, 60x.

T Shirt, 200x.

Microfiber Shirt, 10x.

Microfiber Shirt, 60x.

Microfiber Shirt, 200x.

Microfiber Pants, 60x.

Microfiber Pants, 200x.

Clothing With Scale, 60x. Man! Those are some tiny fibers!

LEDstravaganza Part II

2006-02-05T17:28:00.000-05:00

Sample: A bicolor LED.
Source: CompUSA, Littleton, CO

This LED is an interesting one. It has several modes, both flashing and steady. It has two colors, one white and the other UV.

The interesting thing is that LEDs cannot produce white light; their emission happens in very tight spectral regions. So, in order to produce "white" light is to take the same tactic as fluorescent lights. Take a narrow UV wavelength, and use it to excite a phosphor that gives the nice white light.

Bicolor LED, 10x.

UV Led, 60x.

White LED, 60x.

Lit White LED, 60x. You can see the UV emitter underneath the phosphor coating!

LED Extravaganza!

2006-02-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

Sample: A flashing Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Source: Beloit, WI Radio Shack

The coolest thing about this LED is that it posesses an extraordinarily clear lens, allowing for a delightfully crisp view of the emitting element. Also, if you hit the emitter with an intense enough beam of light, you can "stick" the LED in the on or off position. Light emitting Diodes, while found practically everywhere these days, were substantial technological acheivements.

Flashing LED, 10x.

Flashing LED housing, 60x.

Flashing LED Emitter, 60x.

Flashing LED Emitter, 60x.

Flashing LED Lit, 60x.

Flashing LED, 200x.

Flashing LED Lit, 200x.

Flashing LED Top, 60x.

Flashing LED Top, 60x.

Flashing LED Top, 200x.

What do you call a fish with no eyes?

2006-02-03T19:15:00.000-05:00

Fsh! Fsh!

Sample: A fish I had once.
Source: Petco in Janesville, WI.

Fish, 10x.

Fish Fin, 10x.

Fish Mouth, 60x.

Counterculture, baby!

2006-02-01T21:43:00.000-05:00

Sample: A few frames from the movie Fahrenheit 9/11.
Source: I found this tangled up in a tree. Seriously, a tree.

In honor of the State of the Union, I bring you a frame of the Oscar-winning film Fahrenheit 9/11. This frame is in the very beginning of the movie.

Filmstrip, 10x.

Filmstrip, 60x.

Filmstrip, 200x.

Sea Monkey

2006-01-31T07:46:00.000-05:00

Sample: A "Sea Monkey" (brine shrimp) at different ages.
Source: Toys 'R Us.

Yes, I grew Sea Monkeys. In college. So what?

The polarized light picture isn't there for anything in particualr, it just looks really cool.

Sea Monkey 1 Day Old.

Sea Monkey 3 Days Old.

Sea Monkey 5 Days Old.

Sea Monkey 5 Days Old, Polarized Light.

Gas Chromatography Column

2006-01-30T08:24:00.000-05:00

Sample: A little piece of column from a gas chromatograph (GC).
Source: Beloit College Agilent 6150 Gas Chromatograph.

A gas chromatograph is a piece of analytical equipment used to separate components of complex mixtures by boiling point. Samples are injected into the machine which contains a column of glass coated on the inside with various substances that is between 15 and 100 meters long. The substances travel through the column at different speeds depending on the boiling point.

GC Column, 10x.

GC Column, 60x.

GC Column, 200x.

GC Column, 60x.

GC Column, 200x.

GC Column End, 10x.

GC Column End, 60x.

GC Column End 200x. Apologies for that bad image quality.

GC Column Vs. Pencil Lead - .5mm graphite versus the .25mm column. These things are tiny.

Windows 2000 CD

2006-01-29T13:03:00.000-05:00

Sample: Windows 2000 CD, various parts.
Source: Omni-Tech Computers.

The surface of a Windows CD is holographic and multicolored. This is a tactic to keep people from purchasing counterfeit Windows CDs, as if people who buy them are somehow concerned about their validity...

Windows 2000 CD, 10x.

Windows 2000 CD, 60x.

Windows 2000 CD, 200x.

Windows 2000 CD Logo, 10x.

Windows 2000 CD Logo, 60x. Mark of the Beast!

Windows 2000 CD "Valid", 10x.

Windows 2000 CD "Valid", 60x.

Windows 2000 CD "Genuine", 60x.

Windows 2000 CD "Genuine", 200x.

How to make your own Jello Foam

2006-01-27T22:20:00.000-05:00

Instructions can be found here.

You know you want to.

Not for the faint of heart!

2006-01-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

Sample: A wounded finger.
Source: My wounded finger

A few years ago, I sliced my finger open whilst cutting a bagel. I sliced it deep. Later, once I could take the gauze off, I had the presence of mind to take a picture with the microscope. It's gross, but it's cool.

Ready?

Sliced Finger, 10x.

Sliced Finger, 60x. Gross.

Eye of the Tiger

2006-01-26T13:58:00.000-05:00

Sample: Two different polished tigereye semi-precious stones.
Source: I can't remember.

Tigereyes owe their unusual optical properties to thousands of tiny aligned crystalline rods of an asbestos mineral called (I kid you not) crocidolite. The light reflects differently depending on the orientation of the stone. One sample is flat, the other, not so much. I have included both because more pictures are better than less.

Tigereye, 10x.

Tigereye, 60x.

Tigereye, 200x.

Tigereye, 10x.

Tigereye, 60x.

Tigereye, 200x.

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

Tooth of the Shark

2006-01-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

Sample: Shark's tooth.
Source: Edisto Beach, SC.

This is one of the rare examples of the 10x view being much more interesting than the 60x or 200x views.

Shark Tooth, 10x.

Shark Tooth, 60x.

Shark Tooth, 200x. Smooth.

Eye sing the body electric.

2006-01-24T08:12:00.000-05:00

Sample: The Human experience.
Source: My face.

Oh, come on. Like you've never wondered what your face looks like at 60x magnification.

Beard Hair, 60x.

Eyeball, 10x.

Eyelashes, 60x. This picture is kind of creepy.

Eyeball Veins, 60x. Different kind of creepy.

Iris, 60x.

I'll have to find a way to better immobilize my face.

"Blown" Jello foam

2006-01-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

Sample: Home-made "blown" Jello foam concoction.
Source: Well, uh, home.

For a while now, I have been fascinated by Jello as a potential material for edible scientific experiments. Previous Jello-related projects have just ended in destroyed blenders and gigantic messes. Herein is the first (I think) instance of a Jello gelatin-based blown foam.

Jello Foam 10x, Reflected Illumination. The foam appears white, due to scattering of the light inside by tiny bubbles of nitrous oxide. Kind of like snow or polar bear fur.

Jello Foam 60x. Reflected Illumination.

Jello Foam 200x. Reflected Illumination.

But as we all know, Jello is a transparent medium. Perhaps illuminating it from the bottom would work well?

Jello Foam, 10x. Transmitted Illumination.

Jello Foam 60x. Transmitted Illumination.

Jello Foam 60x. Transmitted Illumination.

Jello Foam 200x. Transmitted Illumination.

Jello Foam 200x. Transmitted Illumination.

It's as fascinating as it is airy and delicious. I will be posting a full account of the manufacturing of this substance on my other blog soon. Links will follow.