Rich Spontak. The Fingerprint of Molecules. This unedited polarized light microscope image shows the crystal formation of a special type polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) solvent-casted with chloroform. We observe plaque-like formations surrounding a fingerprint-like domain, which we found as characteristic only with this molecule and this particular solvent. By using computer simulations, we also understood the underlying reasons behind these formations. There is a unique molecular and geometric interaction between these molecules. They lock each other just like LEGO pieces. This way, POSS molecules can form a continuous surface that can be used as a protective coating on polymers against X-rays and UV light. We observe here the fingerprint of that perfect protection.
Student/Postdoc Graphics, 1st Place. Michael Fisher. An Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) network that illustrates the diversity of bacteria among bed bug populations around North Carolina. Each colored dot in the center represents a different sample location around the state. The sand-colored dots on the periphery correspond to an individual OTU of bacteria connected by the blue lines, elucidating the relationships. The bed bug gut microbiome remains poorly understood, including bacterial species abundance, diversity, and dynamics. This project examined the gut microbiome of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius from 15 populations around North Carolina.
Faculty/Staff Photography, 1st Place. Matt Bertone. Insects and their relatives (called arthropods) are a common — and sometimes abundant — component of the indoor biome. Humans live with many species of arthropods, some of which are tightly associated with homes and able to thrive in our relatively sterile, constructed environment. Carpet beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) were found to inhabit 100% of the homes (and 57% of the rooms) sampled in a recent survey of North Carolina homes. Although sometimes pests of wool rugs and garments, these insects generally feed on hair, feathers, bits of dried food, and dead insects. They are also commonly found in the nests of other animals, a habit that has likely predisposed them to living with us. Shown here is an adult beetle that finished development and is resting in its former larval skin.Faculty/Staff Graphics, 2nd Place. Rich Spontak. This unedited confocal laser scanning microscope gif of a polymer film composed of a special type of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) and solvent-casted with PEO (Polyethylene oxide) is obtained with topographical setting. Note the segregated plaque-like phase domains (purple-blue colored), formed by POSS crystals. This is the first observation of plaque-like phase domains produced in a polymer film by non-covalently bonded POSS. We are beginning to understand the driving force(s) behind these plaque shaped domains. Besides the thermodynamic relation between POSS and polymer, main influence comes from the solvent. The solvent molecules help to POSS molecules to interlock themselves like LEGO pieces. Thus we observe the POSS plaque formations on the polymer, which seem like “continental plates floating on lava”.
POSS is a unique 3D hybrid molecule that fuses in organic as well as inorganic chemistry; since it improves thermal and mechanical properties of polymeric materials drastically it is applicable in a wide range of industries from electronic to biomedical applications. It is patented and produced only in the US. In particular, this study shows how plaque-like POSS domains can be formed on polymer films as a protection shield without making any chemical reaction between POSS and polymer molecules. This approach is an easy way to protect polymeric materials against oxidation, X-rays, UV-light and thermal radiation.
Faculty/Staff Photography, 2nd Place. Andy Stringer. Stunting affects 25% of children under five worldwide, and reduces child growth, health and cognitive development. Animal-source foods, including milk, provide essential protein, as well as important micronutrients, which can increase the growth, nutritional status and health of children.
Smallholder farmer systems often have low profitability and productivity due to numerous issues including zoonotic diseases. Endemic zoonotic diseases are found wherever people live in close proximity to their animals, affecting not only the health of poor people but also their livelihoods through the health of their livestock.
The Health and Livelihoods (HEAL) research group utilizes a One Health approach to understand the determinants of health and their relationships with livelihoods. Wude, a farmer in Ethiopia is involved with research focused on addressing the challenge of zoonotic disease on livestock owners, and the development of interventions aimed at increasing the safe consumption of milk for improved nutrition.
Student/Postdoc Photography, 2nd Place. Amber Hubbard and Sally Van Gorder. Sample images were captured to analyze the overall shape and curvature of polymer structures after a self-curving response was produced. These bi-axially strained substrates are used in the production of self-folding polymers that can transform from two-dimensional sheets into three-dimensional objects when exposed to an external stimulus. Ink is printed onto the polymer substrates with a standard, inkjet printer where the ink absorbs thermal energy from an IR light. A temperature gradient through the thickness of the polymer sheet generates a strain gradient, resulting in a shape change of the substrate. By carefully controlling the ink printed on the substrate the amount of thermal energy absorption can also be controlled, which determines the amount of movement and shape deformation experienced by the polymer.Student/Postdoc Photography, Honorable Mention. Vivek Bharambe. Liquid metal filling of microchannels using injection and other pressure driven techniques have been popular in literature. However, these techniques struggle when it comes to filling up of dead-end capillaries and planar structures leaving large voids. This image illustrates the outcome of a vacuum driven liquid metal filling technique capable of overcoming this problem. The air inside the blue colored 3D printed hollow structure is evacuated using vacuum and atmospheric pressure can force the liquid metal into these cavities in a void-free manner. These liquid metal-filled structures can be used for a variety of applications — such as electrical circuits, fabrication of stretchable/flexible electronics and other electromagnetic devices.
Student/Postdoc Photography, 1st Place. Andy Wade. July 12, 2015: Graduate students from NC State, the University of Oklahoma, and Colorado State University collect data on a line of passing storms in southeastern Minnesota. The Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) experiment sent researchers from numerous universities and laboratories across the central U.S. in search of nocturnal thunderstorms.
Student/Postdoc Microscopy, 1st Place. Eric Land. Arabidopsis Trichome. This scanning electron micrograph captures the impressive three dimensional ultra structure of an arabidopsis “leaf hair”. Appearing like a tree growing among a meadow, these trichomes are actually single cell appendages growing out of the leaf surface. In the background, surface cells, and pore-like stomata can also be seen.Student/Postdoc Photography, Honorable Mention. Yixin Liu. Graphene oxide stabilized wax bubbles.
Faculty/Staff Graphics, 1st Place. Paul Byrne. The planet Mars has fascinated humanity for thousands of years. Recent spacecraft missions have returned an unprecedented view of the Red Planet, equipping us with new information with which to understand Mars’ geological history. Here, topographic data for the entire planet show the vast, low-lying plains to the north, enormous impact basins in the southern hemisphere and, to the west, the largest volcanoes in the Solar System – the tallest of which, Olympus Mons, towers 21 km above its surroundings!
Student/Postdoc Microscopy, 2nd Place. Gabrielle Corradino. Nano-Hitchhikers: Nanoflagellates are single-celled planktonic eukaryotes ranging in size from 2-20 µm and can have various nutrient strategies. These organisms (not sharks), may be considered the mightiest predators in the ocean. In this image we see over 30 nanoflagellates “hitching” a ride from a larger phytoplankton cell. In some cases, nanoflagellates can infect plankton in marine waters, which plays a significant role in energy transfer and nutrient cycling through marine food-webs.Student/Postdoc Graphics, 2nd Place. This picture shows the universal response of an Array of Microphones designed and signal-processed to receive sound only from desired locations. The red and black zones are zones of destructive interference, i.e., no sound is recorded from these zones, thus receiving sound only from the ‘white pillars’.
