Chemistry through the lens

A scanning electron microscope image showing 'nanorod dandelions', formed of tin oxide nanorods (50nm average diameter, 1m average length) grown via a hydrothermal route. This was a prize-winning image by Aruna Ivanturi in the Carl Zeiss photography competition at the department of engineering, University of Cambridge, UK. These nanorod dandelions are promising candidates for electrode materials in energy storage and energy harvesting devices. For more details of the competition, including the other winners see website.