Under the Microscope
An nmRC public engagement initiative
Have you ever wondered what pollen looks like? Or the scales on a butterfly’s wing? We're giving YOU the chance to find out what objects, that usually go unseen, look like with our ‘Under the Microscope’ initiative now powered by JEOL.
We are asking for the public to suggest objects or materials they would like to see in microscopic detail, as well as explain why e.g. does it have a significant meaning to you? Is it relevant to your local area? etc...
One idea will be selected each month to be imaged by our team using state of the art Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipment (or maybe a complementary technique) that can create images at the nanoscale. Those images will be sent to the selected entrant and published on this page! To submit your entry please use the link to the right.
Thanks a lot to JEOL for sponsoring the initiative in its third year.
What is Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)?
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is a powerful tool used to visualise the micro- and nano-structures of materials. It works by using a beam of negatively charged particles, called electrons, to scan the surface of the material, creating high-resolution images that show details as small as a few nanometres.
To put this into perspective, one nanometre is approximately one million times smaller than the width of a single human hair.
The JEOL IT-200 SEM operated by Lorelei Robertson (Electron Microscope Technician)
Previous Winning Entries
February 2025 - 14th Century Book
February’s Under the Microscope winning suggestion comes from our colleagues at the Manuscripts and Special Collections team (Dr Charlotte May and Robert Pearce) and what a fantastic choice it was!
At the nmRC, we love uncovering the hidden stories within historical objects. Our latest collaboration has taken us deep into the spine of a 14th-century manuscript, Speculum Vitae (Mirror of Life), revealing a microscopic world preserved for centuries.
Using optical and electron microscopy, we examined material collected from the book’s spine—fragments of plant matter, pollen grains, flower petals, and even tiny micro-creatures. This nanoworld, frozen in time, offers us a glimpse into the past, providing clues about how this manuscript was used and cared for over the centuries. Imaging by Lorelei Robertson and Dr Richard Cousins using a Leica optical microscope and a JEOL IT-200 scanning electron microscope.
January 2025 - Ice Hockey Puck and Stick
Our first Under the Microscope of 2025 takes a cool look at an ice hockey puck and stick, generously donated by the Nottingham Panthers!
Using the Philips XL30 SEM, our laboratory support technician (and Panthers superfan) Sally Schofield captured stunning electron microscope images revealing the hidden details of these essential pieces of hockey gear. The puck's tough rubber exterior was clearly visible, showcasing its resilience on the ice. Meanwhile, the stick’s wood and foam interior and carbon fibre coating were revealed in intricate detail—highlighting the balance of strength and flexibility needed for that perfect slapshot!
December 2024 - Christmas Baking with Dr Josh Smalley
In December we were thrilled to welcome Dr Joshua Smalley, Research Fellow at the University of Leicester and a 2023 finalist on The Great British Bake Off, to the nmRC! Josh brought along an assortment of Christmas bakes, curious to see what they looked like at the microscale. Of course, we couldn’t resist!
From traditional and vegan meringues to slices of Christmas cake, Josh’s festive creations were imaged using scanning electron microscopy by our talented technicians, Lorelei Robertson and Nicola Weston. The results? Spectacular close-ups of these holiday goodies, showcasing the intricate structures that make them so delightful—both on the plate and under the microscope! Imaging was conducted using our JEOL EUROPE IT-200 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (FEI) Q650 SEMs
November 2024 - Cheese Crystals
November's Under the Microscope is our cheesiest one yet as we image CHEESE CRYSTALS! Back in September our Knowledge Exchange Fellow Luke Norman presented at the STFC Interact Symposium at Northumbria University and asked the audience for suggestions for a future Under the Microscope, these were all then put to a vote and the winning suggestion was imaged! Katherine Platt from the Institute of Physics chose "cheese crystals in really mature cheese" because "I want to see the deliciousness!" and we thought this was a great idea! Our Electron Microscope Technician Nicola Weston imaged some parmesan cheese with crystals present and also managed to obtain elemental mapping of the crystals using an Oxford Instruments EDS detector which showed a high proportion of calcium in the crystals - which makes sense as they are a calcium salt of lactic acid!
October 2024 - Mushroom Spores
In October we decided to revisit a previous suggestion! Back in November 2023 we imaged mushrooms in the hope of finding spores, but we were unlucky and couldn't find any in the particular sample. A year later, we were back imaging mushrooms but this time using both standard SEM and environmental SEM (with imaging at -17C to retain the structure). Imaging was performed by Sally Schofield and Nicola Weston who found spores galore, and hyphae!
September 2024 - Horse Hair and Hoof
Hold your horses - you're about to see horse hair and hoof like never before! This month's Under the Microscope was suggested by Jorge Feitoria, and the samples were donated by Quimera the horse from Portugal. SEM imaging by Sally Schofield shows the structure of the hair and the hoof which, despite both being made of keratin, look completely different morphologically. The mane takeaway? Even the most familiar things have layers of complexity just waiting to be discovered. Who knew hooves could be so stable under the microscope?
August 2024 - Nottingham Lace
This month, we’re taking a closer look at something intricate and beautiful—lace! Dr Richard Cousins has examined delicate lace from Cluny Lace under the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results? Stunningly detailed images that reveal the intricate weave and fine craftsmanship of this traditional lace, magnified at the microscale! The different structures of the cotton and Nylon strands were also revealed!
Cluny Lace has been producing lace in the UK for centuries, and it’s amazing to witness this heritage craft in such fine detail.Check out the images and explore how something so delicate can be so strong and intricately structured when viewed up close! Nottingham Lace was suggested by Tom Masters!
July 2024 - Sunflower Seed
July was a great suggestion from Niamh of...Sunflower Seeds! Niamh suggested them because "They are really small but they grow a huge flower. It's quite hard to see what's inside them just by breaking them open". So here we present the cross section of a sunflower seed showing the different layers as well as the plant cells inside! Let us know your thoughts and future suggestions below! Imaging was performed by Lorelei Robertson using the JEOL IT-200 SEM!
June's winning suggestion came from Polly, who suggested seaweed because she really likes eating sushi! Who knew Seaweed would have such detailed microstructure?! Imaging was conducted by Lorelei Robertson using the JEOL IT-200.
May 2024 - Bee and Wasp Stingers
You won't BEE-lieve what our most requested Under the Microscope suggestion is! For May's Under the Microscope, we had one suggestion that was requested by three different people...BEE and WASP STINGERS! What's more, May also includes WORLD BEE DAY celebrating the birthday of Anton Janša (the beekeeping pioneer). Imaging of the various stingers was conducted by Tom Hartman of the School of Life Sciences, using the JSM840 based at the Medical School at the University of Nottingham.
For April's Under the Microscope there could only be one winning suggestion! April showers were prominent, especially due to Storm Kathleen, so we thought we would investigate what can be found in a raindrop! Thanks to Julie Briden for the suggestion! To do this, we placed a vial outside our building during the storm and collected rainwater, then we deposited this onto a TEM grid and Dr Julie Watts imaged it using our JEOL 2100F TEM.
March 2024 - Norwegian Wool
It's time for March's Under the Microscope winning suggestion which was...Wool suggested by Dr Kristine Vike. Kristine not only suggested wool but also donated some to us all the way from Norway! For this suggestion, Lorelei Robertson imaged untreated and superwash-treated wools using the Thermo Fisher (FEI) XL30 see if there were any surface differences between the wool threads, and EWE better believe there were! Find out more about Norwegian Wool with this video from Kristine on her Youtube channel here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo6v8GK9W0M.
February's Under the Microscope is here featuring...SNAILS suggested by Lucy Silvey! When it comes to snails, there's only one expert we could turn to: resident snail aficionado Prof. Angus Davison from the School of Life Sciences. He generously provided us with snail shells and even a love dart for imaging! As this marks our 12th monthly suggestion, we're treating you to fluorescence and electron microscopy images of snail shells and love darts. Fluorescence microscopy images were captured by Jordan Kirby using the Leica M205 FA microscope, and electron microscopy images were captured by Lorelei Robertson using the Thermo Fisher (FEI) XL30 SEM.
January 2024 - Car Exhaust Particles
READY, SET, MAGNIFY! We are kicking off Under the Microscope 2024 with some Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images of car exhaust particles, suggested by Dr Tendai Dube! These TEM images show the presence of soot particles which are the product of incomplete combustion of fuel. The particles, with a diameter ranging from 10 to 20 nm, have a structure consisting of a carbon core surrounded by layers of carbon (resembling nano-onions). Imaging was conducted by Dr Michael Fay on the JEOL 2100F TEM.
December 2023 - Popping Candy Chocolate
This month's Under the Microscope winning suggestion was suggested by our Director Prof. Paul Brown who wanted to celebrate the release of the new film Wonka by imaging some... POPPING CANDY CHOCOLATE! We unwrapped the magic of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with scanning electron microscopy images of popping candy chocolate that demonstrate a sweet symphony of science and imagination. Imaging conducted by Nicola Weston on the Thermo Fisher (FEI) Q650 SEM.
November 2023 - Mushrooms
Our Under the Microscope winning suggestion for November was MUSHROOMS which was suggested by Rob Hutchinson and Steph Bowskill. These Fairy Ring mushrooms were found on our campus and we captured so many incredible images of their surface structures because the SPORE the better! SEM Imaging was conducted by Lorelei Robertson using the Thermo Fisher (FEI) Quanta 600 scanning electron microscope.
October 2023 - Spider Web
We're diving deep into the world of arachnid artistry as this month's Under the Microscope winning suggestion is...Spider Web! The webs were donated to us by Prof. Sara Goodacre of the SpiderLab here at UoN and imaging showed that the thinnest threads were just 110 nm in diameter. We also found an array of different objects that had been caught in the webbing. SEM imaging was conducted by Nicola Weston on the Thermo Fisher (FEI) Quanta 650. Thanks to Reza for the suggestion!
September 2023 - Peregrine Falcon Feather
This month's Under the Microscope winning suggestion is... A Peregrine Falcon Feather! That's right we are examining a feather of the fastest animal in the world! The feather was donated to us by Michele Pattison, of the University of Nottingham Energy Institute (who also suggested the idea), and it originates from Belper in Derbyshire. SEM imaging was conducted on a Thermo Scientific Phenom XL and the main image was created by capturing 150 individual images and stitching them together to form a mosaic-style image.
August 2023 - Lizard Scales
Delve into the microscopic realm of a crested gecko's toe with our latest Under the Microscope suggestion...Lizard Scales! SEM imaging showed the presence of the scales as well as the microscopic hairs that allow geckos to climb up almost any surface. Imaging was conducted on a JEOL 6060 SEM by Tom Hartman (School of Life Sciences) and Alice Campain. Thanks to Tabitha for the suggestion!
Have you ever wondered what inked paper looks like at the microscale? Our latest Under the Microscope winner Andrei had that very same thought and decided to submit the idea to us, and we were excited to image it! We produced two inked paper samples; 1) written letters ("nmRC") using a ballpoint pen, and 2) a printed University of Nottingham castle logo. Both samples were then imaged using Scanning Electron Microscopy to observe any differences. In both high magnification images the paper fibres can be observed, but the ink produced by the printer appears far more globular than that of the pen which appears more grainy, and sand-like! Imaging was conducted using a JEOL JCM-7000 Neoscope SEM operated by Dr Luke Norman (Knowledge Exchange Fellow).
It's hayfever season and there is lots of pollen about, but have you ever wondered what pollen looks like at the microscale? Clare Templey suggested for us to image pine pollen using electron microscopy and we thought it was a great idea! The pollen was collected from some pine trees around University Park campus and then analysed using the JEOL JCM-7000 Neoscope Scanning Electron Microscope by Dr Luke Norman. If you're inspired by this suggestion and would like to nominate something for us to image, let us know!
May 2023 - Shortbread Biscuits
Calling all baking enthusiasts and curious foodies! Our May 2023 Under the Microscope winning entry is... A Shortbread Biscuit submitted by Taranvir Bedi. Imaging was conducted using a Thermo Fisher (FEI) Quanta600 Scanning Electron Microscope by Lorelei Robertson. Various shortbread crumbs were analysed as well as some sugar granules that were on top. Prepare to be amazed as we unveil the intricate microstructure of everyone's favourite baked treats,and don't forget to suggest your ideas to be in with a chance to be chosen next month!
April 2023 - Porcupine Quill
The winning entry for April 2023 was a porcupine quill which was suggested by Susannah Goh who picked this idea because "Porcupines are always rather fun and interesting in all of their aspects". Imaging of the tip, exterior and cross-section was conducted by Lorelei Robertson on the JEOL IT-200 SEM. Check out the images below, and don't forget to suggest your ideas to be in with a chance to be chosen next month!
March 2023 - Budgie Feather
During a visit by NottsTV, their producer bought in a feather from her pet budgie called Dudley to image by SEM. The feather was first coated in gold to make it conductive and then was imaged by Lorelei Robertson on the JEOL IT-200 SEM. Results below...
