Golden wheat
This atomic force microscope phase image shows a polyamide-b-poly(ethylene oxide) multiblock copolymer coated on a silicon substrate. The block copolymer self-assembled into uniform size fibers. The image looks like a beautiful golden wheat field.
Shuhuai Xiang, University of California, Merced, USA
An impending doom
This scanning electron micrograph shows the fracture surface of a doomed three-phase composite. The matrix is a silicone elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane) reinforced with textile fibers and graphene nanofillers. Colors were enhanced in the image using software to highlight the fate awaiting the globe.
Iti Srivastava, Rensselaer polytechnic Institute, USA
