The latest Business updates from the science industry


£2.5 Million brings Imaging Close to Atomic Level


A £2.5 million Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) award will bring new imaging technology to Swansea University’s College of Engineering to enable experts to examine materials right down almost to the atomic level. Materials scientists Dr Richard Johnston and Dr Cameron Pleydell-Pearce will use the funds for a micro-level CT scanner and transmission electron microscope for use on a range of potential applications, including improved detection of metal fatigue in aircraft materials, or imaging of complex architectures in the natural world.


The Swansea team have already used their existing scanning and imaging equipment to reveal the contents of ancient Egyptian mummifi ed animals and the composition of space debris; the addition of the new equipment means researchers can now use a combination of different techniques and instruments to build a fuller picture of how materials behave.


Dr Richard Johnston, senior lecturer in materials at Swansea University’s College of Engineering, said: “We’re extremely happy to receive this highly competitive EPSRC funding. The new X-ray and electron microscopes will enable us to image complex micro and nano structures of advanced materials with exceptionally high resolution, and in 3 and 4 dimensions. This will advance our imaging research portfolio in many exciting areas, including biomaterials, aerospace, metallurgy, medicine, manufacturing, climate science, and archaeology, among many others. The new facility will be the only one in Wales to offer an integrated imaging service, and will be open to industry and academic partners across the region.”


Three images of the microstructure of an alloy used in aircraft, acquired using three different techniques. The etched microstructure (right) is the ‘conventional’ method of viewing the material structure. But you would not see the underlying anomalies in the crystal structure without using the other two techniques. This has implications for approaches to the characterisation of these materials in industry.


Dr Cameron Pleydell-Pearce, TATA steel lecturer in materials at Swansea University, underlined that local links and partnerships are at the heart of this work: “The proposal involved 14 industrial partners, 4 academic institutions and four separate public funded bodies. This is a fantastic example of the momentum that can be generated within the Welsh and UK academic / industrial community if academia and industry pull together. The signifi cant critical mass that we have in the region will help us to build on this network to tackle a wide range of academic and industrial challenges – there are many opportunities!”


Bird skull scanned using X-ray microtomography, which reveals the complex internal architecture of bird bone. This is both strong and lightweight, and can inspire engineering design in structural components in aerospace.


The current EPSRC award follows other funding from the Welsh Government SER Cymru programme, the Welsh European Funding Offi ce and Swansea University. The new equipment will be based in the Engineering Manufacturing Centre (EMC), which, along with the Innovation Hub, have been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The EMC is on the University’s new science and innovation Bay campus, which opened in September 2015.


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Bee’s Eye View Wins Top Prize


pool of applicants, and we are so pleased with the results. Each of these winning images exhibits the exemplary technique, scientifi c discipline and artistry for which Nikon Small World is known.”


Judges were particularly impressed by the techniques Grimm used during four hours of careful work to mount the eye, set the focus increments, properly illuminate the subject and avoid peripheral smudging during the stacking process.


The story behind the image is also touching. As a high school teacher,


self-taught photomicrographer and former beekeeper, the subject matter is near and dear to Grimm’s heart. While bee colonies continue to dwindle worldwide, Grimm hopes his image can serve as a voice for this rapidly disappearing insect that plays such a critical function in pollinating the world’s crops.


1. Ralph Claus Grimm, Eye of a honey bee (Apis mellifera) covered in dandelion pollen


First place in Nikon Instrument’s annual Small World Photo- micrography Competition went to Australian Ralph Grimm for his incredible close-up image of a bee eye covered in dandelion pollen grains. Visually striking, the winning image brings to light just how little is understood about how these incredible insects see the world.


Recognition was also paid to over 77 other winners of the competition, including a ranked Top Twenty, 12 Honourable Mentions and 56 Images of Distinction. With submissions spanning 83 countries, competition was tough. Judges selected winners that displayed not only artistic quality but exceptional scientifi c technique.


“Each year we are blown away by the incredible quality and quantity of microscopic images submitted from all over the world, from scientists, artists, and photomicrographers of all levels and backgrounds. This year was certainly no exception,” said Eric Flem, Communications Manager, Nikon Instruments. “Judges had their work cut out for them in narrowing down from such a rich


“In a way I feel as though this gives us a glimpse of the world through the eye of a bee,” said Grimm. “It’s a subject of great sculptural beauty, but also a warning- that we should stay connected to our planet, listen to the little creatures like bees, and fi nd a way to protect the earth that we all call home.”


4. Daniel H. Miller & Ethan S. Sokol, Lab-grown human mammary gland organoid


3. Dr Igor Siwanowicz, Intake of a humped bladderwort


(Utricularia gibba), a freshwater carnivorous plant


2. Kristen Earle, Gabriel Billings, KC Huang & Justin Sonnenburg, Mouse colon colonised with human microbiota


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5. Dr Giorgio Seano & Dr Rakesh K. Jain, Live imaging of perfused vasculature in a mouse brain with glioblastoma


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