Sem Posters and Art Prints

Sem is from an alien world

An SEM image of a bee leg, colorized.

Microplastic bobble. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a microplastic bobble from a poly-cotton garment. Bobbles (pilling or linting) are essentially damaged fibres that are pulled or torn from clothing and get caught back up in the fibres of the garments in washing machines or dryers or are shed into the environment. Collectively, every time we wash millions of pieces of these microplastics escape into the environment. Microfibers account for 85 percent of global shoreline pollution, and are responsible for most microplastic pollution in our waterways and oceans. The enormous surface area of microfibers attracts and adsorbs large amounts of toxins that they come into contact with. Animals ingest these hazardous chemicals al...

A set of cat faces sketched onto lizard scales from the SEM.

Colorized SEM image of an Arachnodiscus from the plankton of San Francisco Bay.

Microglia. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of protective cells of the human immune system known as a microglia. Microglia process foreign antigens then act like an alarm signal, alerting other immune cells of the body to the infection. The long projections seen on the cell's surface are "feet" to help it move. Dendritic cells found in the central nervous system are known as microglia, in the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis) they are known as histiocytes or Langerhans cells. and in the liver as Kupffer cells. Magnification:x1300 when printed at 10cm high.

False color image of a diatom belonging to the genus Thalassiosira imaged in the SEM.

Dendritic cell. Coloured ion-abrasion scanning electron micrograph (IA-SEM) showing sheet-like cellular extensions on a dendritic cell. These extensions trap HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) particles, aiding their spread through the body. Dendritic cells are a component of the body's immune system. They are antigen-presenting cells (APCs), that is, they present pathogens or foreign molecules (antigens) to other cells of the immune system to be eliminated. HIV uses the body's defences against itself. When dendritic cells interact with T cells, HIV is transmitted to the T cells, infecting them. IA-SEM allows nanoscale three dimensional imaging of whole cells.

Activated platelet, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Platelets, or thrombocytes, are fragments of white blood cells. When blood clots, red blood cells (erythrocytes) are trapped within a fibrin protein mesh, which is formed in response to chemicals secreted by the platelets. Magnification: x15000 when printed at 10 centimetres tall.

False-coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph of a cross-section through cancellous bone. Sometimes referred to as 'spongy bone' or 'trabecular bone', cancellous bone is found within the middle of large bones. The honeycomb like microstructure gives the bone strength whilst saving weight and provides an open structure that can be occupied by bone marrow. The individual struts are called 'trabeculae' a latin term meaning 'little beam'. This image is taken using a method that shows highly mineralised bone as brighter shades, lower mineralisation appears darker; such methods are useful when looking at calcium-poor bone, such as that from osteoporosis patients. Image width is 1.66mm.

Oral bacteria. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of mixed oral bacteria (Streptococcus, round) with some bacilli bacteria (rod-shaped).

Dendritic cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a protective cell of the human immune system known as a dendritic cell. Dendritic cells process foreign antigens then act like an alarm signal, alerting other immune cells of the body to the infection. The long projections seen on the cell's surface are "feet" to help it move. Dendritic cells found in the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis) are known as histiocytes or Langerhans cells. In the central nervous system dendritic cells are known as microglia, and in the liver as Kupffer cells. Magnification:x 2600 when printed at 10cm wide.

A colorized image of a mosquito wing collected from a SEM.

To gift and have fun.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an E. coli (normal strain) bacterium dividing. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, enteric, rod prokaryote. This bacterium was isolated from the human intestine and is normally a part of the human and animal microbiota. Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some strains can cause serious problems such as food poisoning, urinary tract infections, traveller's diarrhea and nosocomial infections. The E. coli 0157:H7 strain is fatal to humans if contracted when contaminated meat is cooked inadequately. Magnification: x8,000 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.

Kidney glomerulus (podocytes and capillaries of the renal corpuscle), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The glomerulus consists of a tightly coiled network of capillaries surrounded by podocytes. There about 1 million glomeruli in each kidney. Podocytes have narrow cell extensions (processes) that in tern give rise to secondary extensions called pedicels. The podocytes completely surround the capillary system. As blood passes through each glomerulus, water and metabolic wastes are filtered through capillary walls by the surrounding podocytes. About 100 litres of blood are filtered every hour. The water and waste pass into the lumen of the Bowman's capsule. From the capsule the water and waste drains into the surrounding tubule...

Retinal cells. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of a section through the human retina. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Light sensitive cells are known as rods and cones, and these cells are long and yellow (at upper image). At lower image (pink) are the bodies of nerve cells which transmit impulses from the rods and cones to the brain via the optic nerve. The surface of the retina, from where light enters this layer, is at bottom of image (not seen). Rods contain a pigment, rhodopsin, which is broken down by light and transmits a signal to nerve cells. Cone cells detect colour. Magnification: x1400 when printed 10cm wide.

Bee. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a small unidentified british bee (superfamily Apoidea). Its compound eye and antennae (above eye) are seen.The complex mouthparts are also visible. The bee feeds on the pollen and nectar of flowering plants. It is an important pollinator, carrying pollen between plants on its hairy body and back legs. Magnification: x40, when printed 10 cm wide

Bacteria infecting a macrophage. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria (purple) infecting a macrophage white blood cell. The macrophage, when activated, will engulf (phagocytose) the bacteria and destroy them as part of the body's immune response. M. tuberculosis causes the disease tuberculosis. It infects the lungs creating primary tubercles, nodular lesions of dead tissue and bacteria. The bacteria may enter the blood or lymph systems and spread to other organs of the body. Tuberculosis is spread by coughs and sneezes.

Bone marrow stem cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a stem cell from adult bone marrow in culture. Bone marrow is the tissue found in the hollow interior of bones. It makes several different types of cells, including white blood cells (leucocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes) and bone cells (osteocytes). Magnification: x4310 when printed 10 centimetres wide.

Calcium phosphate crystal, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Crystalline materials have their atoms placed in regular lattices that can form geometric shapes like this. Calcium phosphate crystals contain both calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO4) ions, but the precise ratio varies according to the crystal structure. Calcium phosphates are used in dental materials and also in foodstuffs. Magnification: x7100 when printed 10cm wide.

Macrophage engulfing TB bacteria. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell (purple) engulfing a tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) bacterium (pink). This process is called phagocytosis. Macrophages are cells of the body's immune system. They phagocytose and destroy pathogens, dead cells and cellular debris.

Parasitic protozoan (mauve) amongst red blood cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a trypanosome protozoan (Trypanosoma sp.) amongst red blood cells. Trypanosomes undergo part of their development in the blood of a vertebrate host. Two species, which are transmitted through the bites of tsetse flies, cause sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis). Another species, which is transmitted by reduviid insects, causes Chagas' disease. Both diseases may be fatal if not treated. Magnification: x6000 when printed 10 centimetres wide.

Retina of the eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a section through the retina of an eye, showing cone and rod cells. Cone cells and the more numerous rod cells are specialised light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors) that occur on the surface of the retina. They are responsible for detecting visible images, which are transmitted as nerve impulses to the optic nerve and the brain. There are about 130 million rod cells in the human retina, which detect light intensity and so are important for day and night vision. The less numerous cone-like cone cells (about 6.5 million in the human retina) respond specifically to colour. Magnification: x1,630 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

Iris of the eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the inner surfaces of the iris and adjoining structures in the human eye. At far right (blue) is the edge of the pupil, the hole that allows light into the eye. Coloured mauve is the iris which controls the size of the pupil and therefore how much light will enter. The band of folds down the centre (red) are the ciliary processes. These secrete fluids that nourish neighbouring parts of the eye. They are also the sites of attachment for the long, thin zonule filaments (yellow and green) which are responsible for suspending the lens (unseen). Magnification: unknown.

Kidney stone, scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Kidney stones are primarily formed by crystallization of the mineral salt calcium oxalate from the urine. They are irregular shaped stones called calculi (calculus) and are composed of random oriented columnar monoclinic crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate with peripheral deposits of fine octahedral crystals of calcium oxalate dehydrate (seen here). Patches of microcrystalline hydroxyl apatite fill internodal regions. Protein matrices can also be associated with the microcrystalline arrays. The hard stones can cause severe pain as they pass down the ureter (urinary tract). Kidney stones may need to be removed surgically using ultrasound. Magnification: x100 when shortest axis printed ...

Coccolithophore on needle tip. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a composition of the coccolithophore Emiliana huxleyi on a needle tip. This small algal organism is a calcareous phytoplankton and is surrounded by a skeleton (coccosphere) of calcium carbonate plates (coccoliths). When the organism dies, the plates separate and sink to the ocean floor. Coccolithophores are of particular interest to those studying global climate change because as ocean acidity increases, their coccoliths may become even more important as a carbon sink (absorb carbon dioxide). Individual plates have been found in vast numbers and can make up the major component of a particular rock, such as the chalk of England. E. huxleyi an important part of t...

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil white blood cell engulfing Bacillus anthracis bacteria (green), the cause of anthrax. This process is called phagocytosis. B anthracis are rod-shaped, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria. The bacteria can infect the skin (cutaneous anthrax), causing raised itchy lesions, the lungs (pulmonary anthrax), which is fatal unless treated quickly, and the digestive system (gastrointestinal anthrax), causing vomiting of blood and severe diarrhoea. All forms can be fatal if left untreated. Treatment is with antibiotics. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and are part of the body's immune system.

sketc vintage suspiria

Gum trees and vineyard at Magpie Springs pre vintage. Nets on the vines.

Lyme disease bacteria. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the cause of Lyme disease. These spirochaete (spiral-shaped) bacteria are passed to humans through the bites of infected Ixodes sp. ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease include skin lesions, muscle pain, neurological and cardiac abnormalities, and arthritis. Treatments include antibiotic and corticosteroid drugs.

Neutrophil engulfing MRSA. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil white blood cell (bottom) engulfing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA, yellow). This process is called phagocytosis. MRSA is a round (coccus) Gram positive bacterium that is resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and are part of the body's immune system.

Resting T lymphocytes. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of resting T lymphocytes from a human blood sample. T lymphocytes, or T cells, are a type of white blood cell and components of the body's immune system. They mature in the thymus. T lymphocytes recognise a specific site on the surface of pathogens or foreign objects (antigens), bind to it, and attract antibodies or cells to eliminate that antigen. Specimen courtesy of Professor Greg Towers, University College London. Magnification: x3000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

Additive manufacturing surface. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of sintered beads of pure titanium on the fracture surface of a metal component. Sometimes confused with 3D printing, additive manufacture is used to form high strength metal components by using a high energy computer guided laser to sinter together metal powders made up of tiny beads. These beads are on an unfinished surface, which would typically be precision machined to a smooth surface once the initial component is created layer by layer. Image width is 155 microns.

Adipose tissue. Coloured Scanning Electron Micro- graph (SEM) of fat cells making up adipose connective tissue. The rounded fat cells (brown, red) are called adipocytes. Connective tissue fibres (orange) have a supporting function for the fat cells. Almost the entire volume of each adipocyte is occupied by a single lipid droplet formed from triglycerides. Fat not used up in metabolic processes is housed in these cells. Adipose connective tissue forms a thick layer under the skin, around the buttocks, thighs and kidneys. It functions as an insulating layer and energy store. Magnification:x120 at 6x7cm size. Magnification: x140 at 4x5 inch size. Magnification: x60 at 35mm.