The MIT Division of Supplies Science and Engineering Breakerspace reworked into an artwork gallery on March 10, with six easels organized in an arc to showcase arresting pictures — black-and-white scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures of crumpled organic buildings alongside the sensible hues of digital optical microscopy.
The photographs have been the profitable entries from the inaugural Breakerspace Microscope Picture Contest, which opened in fall 2024. The competition invited all MIT undergraduates to coach on the Breakerspace’s microscopic devices, discover materials samples, and seize pictures that have been creative, instructive, or technically difficult.
“The objective of the competition is to encourage curiosity and creativity, encouraging college students to discover the imaging instruments within the Breakerspace,” says Professor Jeffrey Grossman of the Division of Supplies Science and Engineering (DMSE). “We wish college students to see the wonder and complexity of supplies on the microscopic stage, to assume critically in regards to the pictures they seize, and to speak what they imply to others.”
Grossman was a driving pressure behind the Breakerspace, a laboratory and lounge designed to encourage MIT undergraduates to discover the world of supplies.
The competition drew about 50 entries throughout 4 classes:
- Most Instructive, for pictures illustrating key ideas with documentation
- Most Difficult, requiring vital pattern preparation
- Finest Optical Microscope Picture of a pattern, rendered in shade
- Finest Electron Microscope Picture, magnified a whole lot and even 1000’s of occasions
Winners within the 4 classes obtained $500, and two runners-up obtained $100.
“By making this a contest with prizes, we hope to encourage extra college students to discover microscopy and develop a stronger connection to the supplies science group at MIT,” Grossman says.
A window onto analysis
Amelia How, a DMSE sophomore and winner of the Most Instructive class, used an SEM to indicate how hydrogen atoms seep into titanium — a phenomenon referred to as hydrogen embrittlement, which may weaken metals and result in materials failure in purposes corresponding to aerospace, power, or development. The picture stemmed from How’s analysis in Affiliate Professor Cem Tasan’s analysis lab, via MIT’s Undergraduate Analysis Alternatives Program (UROP). She skilled on the SEM for the competition after seeing an e mail announcement.
“It helped me notice how one can clarify what I used to be really doing,” How says, “as a result of the work that I’m doing is one thing that’s going right into a paper, however most individuals gained’t find yourself studying that.”
Mishael Quraishi, a DMSE senior and winner of Finest SEM Picture, captured the flower Alstroemeria and its pollen-bearing construction, the anther. She entered the competition primarily to discover microscopy — however sharing that have was simply as rewarding.
“I actually love how electron pictures look,” Quraishi says. “However as I used to be taking the pictures, I used to be additionally in a position to present individuals what pollen regarded like at a extremely small scale — it’s form of unrecognizable. That was probably the most enjoyable half: sharing the picture after which telling individuals in regards to the method.”
Quraishi, president of the Society of Undergraduate Supplies Scientists, additionally organized the occasion, a part of Supplies Week, a student-run initiative that highlights the division’s individuals, analysis, and impression.
Persistence in apply
The winner of the Most Difficult class, DMSE sophomore Nelushi Vithanachchi gained not simply microscopy expertise, but additionally perseverance. The class referred to as for vital effort put into the pattern preparation — and Vithanachchi spent hours troubleshooting.
Her pattern — a carving of MIT’s Nice Dome in silicon carbide — was made utilizing a targeted ion beam, a software that sculpts supplies by bombarding them with ions, or charged atoms. The method requires precision, as even minor shifts can spoil a pattern.
In her first try, whereas milling the dome’s façade, the pattern shifted and broke. A second strive with a special design additionally failed. She credit her UROP advisor, Aaditya Bhat from Affiliate Professor James LeBeau’s analysis group, for pushing her to maintain going.
“It was 4 within the morning, and after failing for the third time, I stated, ‘I’m not doing this,’” Vithanachchi remembers. “Then Aaditya stated, ‘No, we’ve received to complete what we began.’” After a fourth try, utilizing the teachings discovered from the earlier failures, they have been lastly in a position to create a construction that resembled the MIT dome.
Anna Beck, a DMSE sophomore and runner-up for Finest Electron Microscope Picture, had a a lot totally different expertise. “It was very relaxed for me. I simply sat down and took pictures,” she says. Her entry was an SEM picture of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fibers from an occasion wrist band. HDPE is a sturdy materials utilized in packaging, plumbing, and client items.
Via the method, Beck gained perception into composition and microscopy methods — and he or she’s excited to use what she’s discovered within the subsequent competitors in fall 2025. “In hindsight, I take a look at mine now and I want I turned the brightness up a little bit extra.”
Though 35 p.c of the entries got here from DMSE college students, a majority — 65 p.c — got here from different majors, or first-year college students.
With the primary contest showcasing each creativity and technical ability, organizers hope much more college students will tackle the problem, bringing contemporary views and discoveries to the microscopic world. The competition will run once more in fall 2025.
“The inaugural contest introduced in an unimaginable vary of submissions. It was thrilling to see college students interact with microscopy in new methods and share their discoveries,” Grossman says. “The Breakerspace was designed for all undergraduates, no matter main or expertise stage — whether or not they’re conducting analysis, exploring new supplies, or just interested in what one thing is product of. We’re excited to increase participation and encourage much more entries within the subsequent competitors.”
