BITS – Incredible Crystal & Liquid Crystal Microscopy by Vance Williams

In ALL, BITS by Julia Krolik

Vance Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia leading a research group, that focuses on design and synthesis of new liquid crystalline materials. His personal website contains a robust collection of stunning microscopic photography.

“The goal of this site is to provide a place to discuss the optical textures of liquid crystals as they are viewed by polarized optical microscopy (POM). My intent is not only to show off the beauty of liquid crystals, but also to help researchers share tricks of the trade. Interpretation of LC textures is a major challenge, especially for novices to LC research. I hope that the pictures and discussions in this blog will help smooth the path for newcomers, who often face a daunting challenge when trying to enter the field.” – Vance Williams

Here are some of our favourite images below:

Liquid Crystal Microscopy Images (Order: Nematic Liquid Crystal, Columnar Hexagonal Phase, Smectic A Liquid Crystal, Smectic F phase & Smectic A Liquid Crystal)

Image8

Image3

Image6

Image5

Image2Crystal Microscopy Images (Order: Vanillin, Quinine, Coumarin, Salicylic Acid, Adipic Acid & Cholesterol)

Image3

Image5

Image4

Image6

Image2

Image7

Share this Post

 

Related posts:

  1. Bits – Crystal Microscopy of Beer
  2. BITS – Art the Science Year in Review 3/6: Microscopic
  3. CREATORS – Vance Williams
  4. BITS – Celebrate Canada Day with these Canadian SciArt Creators
About the Author

Julia Krolik

Julia helps SciArt through Art the Science, wrangles data and makes SciArt through Pixels and Plans. She speaks passionately about the importance of visual communication in information sharing. She lives by this quote: "They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea." - Francis Bacon | Twitter: @yuliakrolik