Have you ever wondered what pollen looks like? Or the scales on a butterfly’s wing? Scientists are giving people the chance to find out what objects that usually go unseen look like with a new ‘Under the Microscope’ initiative.

The Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nmRC) is asking what you would like to see in microscopic detail. From the suggestions one object will be selected each month to be imaged using state of the art Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipment that can create images at the nanoscale.

Luke Norman, Knowledge Exchange Fellow, has set up the initiative and said: “We’ve created the Under the Microscope initiative to showcase to the public the power and capability of electron microscopy. The technique is a window into a hidden world of micro- and nano- structures, offering a glimpse into their complexity and beauty. It will give people the opportunity to see everyday objects in the greatest detail. We are keen to hear from the public on which objects they would like to see go Under the Microscope as well as their reasons why.”  

The nmRC undertakes a range of research projects and previously sent the Queen a 90th birthday message written on a Corgi hair!

To make a suggestion of an object for imaging simply fill out this form.