Fiber optics connected to a dilution refrigerator
Harsh Rathee/Department of Physics
Photographs that accompany most scientific articles could be called politely “functional”. But this collection of images of the Imperial College London’s research photography competition shows that research can be beautiful.
The upper image, of Harsh Rathee of the Department of Physics, shows a fiber optic connected to a dilution refrigerator, a device that creates a thousandth temperature than the emptiness of the space. When observing how the light interacts with sound waves at this incredible low temperature, researchers can explore the unique properties of the matter at quantum level.
Liquid gold
Anna Curran/Mathematics Department
The previous entry is from Anna Curran of the Department of Mathematics, who won a prize for the election of judges in the category of doctoral students. Curran’s research focuses on mathematically modeling the effect of molecules called tensionactive, which reduce surface tension in fluids. It is this phenomenon that allows bubbles to maintain their shape inside the ring. “Tensioactive surround us in our soaps and detergents, are responsible for breaking dirt and bacteria, but their effects also support many biological, medical and engineering processes, the Bab-Ciesing ink injection impression,” says Curran.
Cerebral organ, or “mini-cerebro”
Alex Kingston/Department of Life Sciences
In the photo above there is an image of Alex Kingston of the Department of Life Sciences. It represents part of a cerebral organic, also known as a “mini-cerebro.” These collections of laboratory cultivated cells are a microcosm of the early stages of human brain development.
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