Scientists Make Art From Objects Invisible to the Naked Eye

The challenge is to make tungsten—a tough metal—even tougher, for heavy-duty applications. Researchers at PNNL have been exploring the question, trying to gain a better understanding of the properties that emerge when tungsten is united with copper in a model composite. In the image, which reflects this union of metals, the small connecting object is copper, between two sections of tungsten. Researchers believe that in tungsten-copper composites, copper takes on the role of helping to hold tungsten together, reduce cracking, and subsequently make the composite material tougher. PNNL’s research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, which is advancing research in support of international efforts to develop fusion reactors for production of clean energy.

Researchers are exploring permanent safe storage of harmful greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), deep underground. The work has unearthed a key finding: the reaction between the mineral forsterite (green object in image) and CO2 results in a different mineral, siderite (orange and blue). Siderite effectively captures the CO2 in place, in a solid stable form. The discovery could help enable storage strategies that protect the climate and environment. This image was captured with a helium ion microscope at EMSL and colorized by Bruce Arey.

The beauty of this mutant strain of the fungus Trichoderma reesei belies the organism’s potential for dismantling biomass. The study and characterization of the fungus—particularly its proficient production of biomass-degrading enzymes—are critical for the development of more efficient and economical methods for turning biomass into fuels and other products. Scientists from the University of Nebraska and the University of Maryland have been identifying and characterizing T. reesei’s enzyme secretion control pathways. The image was captured with a helium ion microscope at EMSL and colorized by Nathan Johnson of PNNL’s Communications and Information Technology Directorate.

This beautiful feather-like image of uranium is a short-lived snapshot in time, but the information it contributes to the field of nuclear forensics could provide important, long-lasting outcomes for world safety. Scientists at PNNL are examining and imaging uranium phases, or transformations in the radioactive metal that occur due to changes in external factors, such as humidity levels. Through this study, researchers are gaining understanding of how the transformations reflect signatures, or characteristics about the material’s history. The knowledge will help enhance capabilities for safeguarding nuclear materials. The image was captured with polarized light microscopy at PNNL’s Radiochemical Processing Laboratory.

This material, fashioned from carbon nanotubes (grainy objects) and zinc oxide nanowires (fuzzy objects), could sharpen the potential of electrodes and help forge progress on much-needed energy storage technologies. Results ultimately could benefit transportation, electronic products and grid management. The image was captured with a helium ion microscope at EMSL and colorized by Shuttha Shutthanandan.

Hundreds of growing Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores under a fluorescent microscope create a glittering depiction of scientific inquiry. More importantly, the bacteria offer a safer way to study anthrax disease. Bacillus anthracis, similar to the strain that causes anthrax, is a surrogate, not harmful, and is helping researchers at PNNL to enhance biological threat detection strategies. PNNL’s study of the bacteria provides new knowledge that could lead to the development of a technology that takes advantage of a simple smartphone microscope to rapidly detect and identify biothreats. Such a small, convenient device would provide a new resource to first responders who must rapidly assess dangerous situations and make decisions.

The study of these zinc oxide plates and how the plates nucleate and grow as secondary structures on zinc oxide surfaces contributes toward America’s goal of a clean, abundant and secure energy future. Researchers are enhancing fundamental understanding of nucleation sites and growth characteristics. This is a vital step in making zinc oxide a more effective material for use in the development of high-energy storage systems, such as lithium-air and zinc-air batteries. The image was captured with a Helios 600 dual-beam focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope at EMSL and was colorized by Nathan Johnson of PNNL’s Communications and Information Technology Directorate.

The fungus Trichoderma reesei, shown here growing on finely-ground pieces of discarded corn stover (stalks, leaves and cobs), could foster rapid conversion of biomass to fuels. The fungus is known for its profuse production of biomass-degrading enzymes, which enhance the conversion process. Researchers have studied the genomes of Trichoderma reesei and other fungi, seeking to better understand enzyme production, and how enzymes might achieve biofuel breakthroughs. The image was captured with a helium ion microscope at EMSL and colorized by Nathan Johnson.

A magnified view of a microbe on Arabidopsis plant roots seemingly provides a “window” into the rhizosphere, or root zone. In fact, that’s exactly what a multi-institute research campaign is trying to frame—a view into the world of soil, roots and microorganisms. The image was captured with a Helios Nanolab dual-beam focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope at EMSL and colorized by Alice Dohnalkova.

Herring scales may help explain how fish populations in the North Pacific Ocean have been impacted by major biological and physical changes during the past 40 years. This image, captured with a helium ion microscope following laser ablation, reveals the collagen matrix within a single scale of a Pacific herring from Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Researchers want to understand carbon isotope ratios in scales—and muscles—of present-day Pacific herrings, with the ultimate objective of performing a retrospective analysis of archived scales. Such a comparative exam will provide insights into fish dynamics in the North Pacific since 1970.

An intricately structured soil bacterium, less than a micron in size, makes its home on the root surface of an Arabidopsis plant. Much remains to be learned about the plant root zone—or rhizosphere—and its microbial communities and influence on environmental processes. The image was captured with the Helios Nanolab dual-beam focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope at EMSL and was created by Alice Dohnalkova.

The vivid trajectory of rainbow colors extending from lower left to upper right actually represents an unpleasant reality—the swath of destruction caused by an Alabama tornado in the spring of 2011. Researchers at PNNL, in a project funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, used spatial modeling software and satellite imagery to create this two-dimensional interpolation of damage inflicted upon the region. The variations in color reflect different levels of damage in the path, with red indicating areas of greater destruction. The striping pattern outside the path represents data voids. The project is part of an ongoing DHS effort to apply remote sensing techniques to damage assessment. During natural disasters, such a capability could help pinpoint the extent of damage and locations affected, which informs disaster response.