The MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering Breakerspace was transformed into an art exhibit on March 10, featuring six easels arranged in a semicircle to display captivating visuals — monochromatic scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs of crumpled biological formations alongside the vivid colors of digital optical microscopy.

The visuals represented the winning submissions from the first Breakerspace Microscope Image Contest, which launched in the fall of 2024. The competition encouraged all undergraduate students at MIT to practice on Breakerspace’s microscopic equipment, investigate material samples, and capture visuals that were artistic, educational, or technically demanding.

“The aim of the contest is to ignite curiosity and inventiveness, motivating students to delve into the imaging technologies available in the Breakerspace,” explains Professor Jeffrey Grossman from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE). “We aspire for students to appreciate the beauty and intricacy of materials at the microscopic scale, to engage critically with the images they produce, and to convey their significance to others.”

Grossman was instrumental in the establishment of the Breakerspace, a lab and lounge intended to encourage MIT undergraduates to investigate the realm of materials.

The competition attracted approximately 50 submissions across four categories:

• Most Instructive, for images that illustrated fundamental concepts with accompanying explanations
• Most Challenging, which necessitated extensive sample preparation
• Best Optical Microscope Image of a sample, visualized in color
• Best Electron Microscope Image, magnified hundreds or even thousands of times

Winners in each category received $500, while two runners-up were awarded $100.

“By turning this into a competition with prizes, we aim to stimulate greater student interest in microscopy and foster a deeper connection to the materials science community at MIT,” Grossman comments.

A glimpse into research

Amelia How, a DMSE sophomore and recipient of the Most Instructive award, utilized an SEM to illustrate how hydrogen atoms infiltrate titanium — a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement, which can weaken metals and result in material failure in fields such as aerospace, energy, or construction. The visual originated from How’s research in Associate Professor Cem Tasan’s laboratory, through MIT’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). She trained on the SEM for the contest after spotting an email notification.

“It helped me understand how to express what I was actually working on,” How mentions, “because the research I’m involved in contributes to a paper, but most individuals won’t likely read that.”

Mishael Quraishi, a DMSE senior and winner of the Best SEM Image, photographed the flower Alstroemeria and its pollen-producing structure, the anther. She participated in the contest primarily to explore microscopy but found sharing her experience equally fulfilling.

“I really appreciate how electron images appear,” Quraishi states. “But while capturing the images, I could also reveal to people what pollen looks like on a microscopic scale — it’s quite unrecognizable. That was the most enjoyable aspect: sharing the image and then explaining the technique.”

Quraishi, who serves as the president of the Society of Undergraduate Materials Scientists, also coordinated the event, which was part of Materials Week, a student-led initiative that highlights the department’s individuals, research, and influence.

Determination in practice

The victor of the Most Challenging category, DMSE sophomore Nelushi Vithanachchi not only acquired microscopy skills but also developed resilience. The category necessitated considerable effort in the sample preparation — and Vithanachchi dedicated hours to problem-solving.

Her sample — a carving of MIT’s Great Dome in silicon carbide — was crafted using a focused ion beam, a device that shapes materials by bombarding them with ions, or charged particles. The procedure demands precision, as minor adjustments can damage a sample.

In her initial attempt, while milling the dome’s façade, the sample was misaligned and fractured. A second attempt with an alternate design also met with failure. She attributes her perseverance to her UROP advisor, Aaditya Bhat from Associate Professor James LeBeau’s research group, for encouraging her to persist.

“It was four in the morning, and after failing for the third time, I said, ‘I’m done with this,’” Vithanachchi reminisces. “Then Aaditya replied, ‘No, we need to complete what we began.’” After a fourth attempt, employing the insights gained from earlier setbacks, they finally succeeded in crafting a structure that resembled the MIT dome.

Anna Beck, a DMSE sophomore and runner-up for Best Electron Microscope Image, experienced a contrasting situation. “It was quite laid-back for me. I just settled down and captured images,” she remarks. Her entry was an SEM photograph of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fibers from an event wristband. HDPE is a robust material utilized in packaging, plumbing, and consumer products.

Throughout the process, Beck gained knowledge about composition and microscopy techniques — and she’s eager to apply her skills in the upcoming competition in fall 2025. “In retrospect, I look at my submission now and I wish I had increased the brightness a bit more.”

Although 35 percent of the submissions were from DMSE students, a larger percentage — 65 percent — came from other majors or first-year students.

With the inaugural contest highlighting both inventiveness and technical proficiency, organizers hope an even greater number of students will embrace the challenge, bringing new viewpoints and insights into the microscopic realm. The competition will take place again in fall 2025.

“The initial contest showcased an extraordinary diversity of entries. It was thrilling to witness students engage with microscopy in innovative manners and share their findings,” Grossman notes. “The Breakerspace was established for all undergraduates, regardless of their major or level of experience — whether they’re conducting research, exploring new materials, or simply inquisitive about the composition of substances. We are enthusiastic about widening participation and motivating even more submissions for the next competition.”