Microscopy hits the big screen

I love to hear about anything that might get people excited about science, especially if it involves microscopy. I can’t wait to see PassmoreLab’s new 3-D movie called MicroWorlds. The live-action educational science film explores the life that goes on, unseen, all around. The film examines the life of earthworms, ladybugs, butterflies and garden snails, portraying their everyday actions and the vital role they play on our planet.

The film was shot in California with a custom 3D microscopy setup designed for the film. High-precision stages, macrolighting, and a year of intense shooting produced the never before seen imagery. The film mixes stereoscopic microscopy, time-lapse imaging, and some serious bug wrangling. Everything was shot at high def and with a broad dynamic range.

Seeing a ladybug 30 feet tall on screen gives the audience a different perspective and a great amount of detail on organisms that might seem ordinary. PassmoreLab also created a complete teacher's guide full of trivia, games and mind-benders germane to the film. The companion piece is available for middle-schoolers that want to dig a little deeper into the science of the film after seeing it.

MicroWorlds will be available in 3D Digital in March.

For more info at www.passmorelab.com/microworlds.

LED Modules for stereomicroscope illumination

The right illumination can make the inspection and study of various materials easier and more precise. LED illumination is growing in use because LEDs offer benefits such as a long lifetime and lower energy use.

A new set of LED illumination modules are being shown by Leica Microsystems at the Systems Integration in Microelectronics (SMT) fair in Nurenberg, Germany this week. The modules are designed to illuminate difficult material samples viewed with a stereomicroscope, have reproducible illumination settings, and maintain constant color temperature during dimming.

The modules include:
• LED3000 NVI: The nearly vertical illumination (NVI) light path of this illumination module can illuminate samples with indentations and drill holes, which are challenging to view with standard illumination.

• LED5000 CXI: This module’s coaxial illumination (CXI) is useful for enhancing contrast of flat, highly reflecting surfaces such as wafers or polished metal samples.

• LED5000 RL: The ring light (RL) can be used for a variety of applications. The module’s switchable segments allow extra information to be obtained without moving the sample.

• LED5000 MCI: The multi-contrast illumination (MCI) module creates particularly high contrast on the sample. The flat angle of its oblique incident light lets can reveal the fine irregularities and defects such as scratches and dust particles.

More information here.