Stefan Diller

Self-assembling Hierarchical Microstructures, 2019

Scanning electron photomicrograph
TESCAN MIRA3 field emission scanning electron microscope with four-channel multi-detector image system,
developed by Point Electronic in Halle, Germany, that colorizes an image as it is formed

Würzburg, Germany

The micrograph features carbonate-silica microstructures grown in a dynamic reaction-diffusion system. This allows for precise sculpting of a great variety of elementary shapes by diffusion of carbon dioxide in a solution of barium chloride and sodium metasilicate. Samples were prepared at AMOLF Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands, by Lukas Helmbrecht and Wim L. Noorduin.