Scientific Imaging Competition

Taking place every two years, this exciting international competition is a great opportunity for microscopists from across the world to showcase their skills. It provides a great outlet for those that can capture the breath-taking and engaging beauty of the microscopical world. The Society is always in awe of the quality of submissions across the categories.

The RMS Scientific Imaging Competition 2025 took place as part of mmc2025 incorporating EMAG 2025.

2025 Winners

Peptide snowflakes Magnetic flowers "Feather-like" Structures Flowering heads of aosa rupestris NMC particles with Zr Ductile iron lustrous carbon defect Lymphatic vessels and smooth muscle in a cleared lung Trichome Storm approaching Colourful Micelles

Short Video

1st Prize

An Echiniscus tardigrade flouting free in a water drop and observed in differential interference contrast in reflected light. The colors observed are interference colors and are affected by mechanical stress of the tardigrade and the surrounding fluid.

Video by José Manuel Martínez López, Química Tech

2nd Prize

Optical-microscopy video (20× magnification, 10 fps) of a five-residue amyloid peptide (5 mg/mL) in deionized water/acetic acid. Self-assembly initiates within milliseconds at the air-water interface, driven by the droplet’s surface tension. Left-hand side: peptide solution. Right-hand side: glass slide.

RMS Scientific Imaging Competition