A bubble’s love story: The art of cavitation
Who would have thought that cavitation bubbles forming in liquids could be so fascinating to study and have important applications in science and medicine? A single laser pulse within a liquid generates such intense heat that it causes rapid evaporation and leads to the formation of a cavitation bubble. In less than 0.1 milliseconds, the bubble gracefully expands into a heart-like shape before collapsing and disappearing, leaving no trace behind. This mesmerizing transformation occurs in high-viscosity liquids, where the resistance of the liquid molds the bubble into this romantic form. Our research explores the complex behaviour of these bubbles—how they grow, move and collapse in the blink of an eye. By controlling certain parameters, such as laser energy, fluid properties and target surfaces, we hope to gain key insights that hold significant promise for drug delivery, cancer therapies, and kidney stone treatments.
A silent dance of fluids
Understanding how liquids move through materials is key to advancing technologies like liquid-in-liquid printing and drug delivery. Our research explores how the properties of gel-like substances influence the way fluids flow and disperse through them. In our experiment, we injected dyed water into a polymer gel through a micro-nozzle. The photo shows how a stable vortex ring took shape and, over time, expanded symmetrically around an axis, forming an elegant anchor-like structure. Remarkably, the structure persisted for hours after the injection stopped. The gel’s high viscosity and yield stress prevented the early dissipation of this swirling pattern. We investigate how such properties affect fluid motion, as we aim to fine-tune liquid flow control to allow for more precise and effective applications. The mesmerizing form shown here offers a glimpse of how fluid physics can inspire research and design.
At the core of flight: Engineering turbine endurance
Gas turbine engines are a key element of modern transportation, powering aircraft with remarkable efficiency. But creating these engineering marvels requires special alloys. This image showcases the colourful surface of a cobalt-based alloy after testing at 600 °C. The colours are caused by a thin layer of oxides that interact with light, a natural phenomenon called thin-film interference. This widely used aerospace material serves as a baseline for testing new alloys, as we work to develop more resistant surfaces. So far, none of the materials we have tested has displayed such vivid colours. Testing these materials helps lay the groundwork for innovation, driving the development of next-generation engines.
Attack of the thecamoebians!
The analysis of microscopic fossils (micropaleontology) can help us understand environmental changes over time. This scanning electron microscope image shows a thecamoebian, a type of single-celled organism belonging to the kingdom Protista. This specimen has a xenogeneous test, meaning that its protective shell was formed by cementing together grains of surrounding material. Thecamoebians are often found in freshwater environments, such as lakes, ponds and brackish lagoons. Identifying thecamoebian species can yield clues as to what an environment may have looked like back when the organism lived there. For example, this particular specimen provides evidence of the presence of freshwater in the aquifers of Mexico’s Yax Chen cave system. Its declining abundance over time suggests a gradual infiltration of seawater in those aquifers.
Compound spines of a sea spider: an adaptation for grooming
Found throughout our world’s oceans, sea spiders are an enigmatic group of marine invertebrates related to scorpions and spiders. They rely solely on paternal care—the rarest form of parenting among animals. Male sea spiders have a specialized pair of legs called ovigers, which they use to collect eggs from a female. They then fertilize the eggs, cement them to these legs and carry them until they hatch. Some sea spiders have comb-like spines on their ovigers (pictured here) that serve another function: grooming. These compound spines can be used to remove debris and parasites from the sea spider’s body. My research aims to document sea spider diversity in the Salish Sea of British Columbia to enhance our understanding of the region’s extreme biodiversity.
Coral connoisseur
The observation of a seemingly simple feeding event can provide new insights into how sea slugs navigate changing ocean conditions. Pictured here is the sea slug Hermissenda crassicornis on an orange cup coral, with visible damage exposing the coral’s white skeleton. These slugs were previously thought to feed mostly on hydroids (small marine animals related to jellyfish), but my research suggests they may actually prefer orange cup coral, as shown here. This discovery is part of our work to understand how these sea slugs find food in environments with variable tidal flow and strong wave action, which can disrupt the odor plumes they might otherwise follow. While at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on the West Coast of Canada, we took some video recordings of these slugs in their natural habitat. By analyzing these recordings, we are uncovering new behavioural patterns that may help explain how they successfully forage in such dynamic ocean conditions.
Fighting for the future
Every fall, the endangered Kennedy Siding caribou herd migrates from the alpine meadows of the Rocky Mountains to a small lodgepole pine forest near Mackenzie, British Columbia. Facing extirpation (disappearance from the area), the herd has been the subject of a supplemental feeding program since 2014; the aim of the program is to study how improved nutrition might affect population growth and survival rates. In the photo, two young bull caribou at the site engage in a friendly sparring match—practice for future battles to produce the next generation. A combination of feeding and other management measures helped triple the herd’s size in ten years, but its survival remains uncertain. The accessibility and small area of the site allow researchers to conduct population counts and monitor individual health and reproduction. We plan to use the data collected to guide future caribou conservation efforts across the province.
Fighting microplastic pollution with a super-cleaning agent
Microplastics are everywhere—in nature, drinking water, even food. To tackle this problem, we engineered cellulose fibres, a main component of plant cell walls, into super-cleaning agents designed to capture plastic pollutants from water. This image shows model microplastic particles (in orange), about one micrometre in size (50 to 100 times smaller than a human hair), attached to cellulose fibres. Using confocal microscopy, we visualized how these particles successfully bind to the fibres through the plastics’ fluorescence signals. By mixing cellulose fibres with polystyrene microplastics in synthetic wastewater, we enabled the plastics and fibres to settle together through gravity, simplifying their removal and disposal. We aim to develop practical, safe, cost-effective strategies for removing plastic pollutants from water in order to protect ecosystems and human health.
Fungal poppy
At first glance, this eye-catching structure might look like a beautiful white poppy brooch, the kind one would wear to observe Remembrance Day. It is in fact a mycelium, a web of filaments crafted by the single-celled fungus Candida albicans. Who knew that an opportunistic human pathogen could create such beauty? When in the aggressive filamentous form, though, this fungus can enter the bloodstream and invade organs, sometimes leading to life-threatening infections. Its filaments can also form biofilms—communities of fungi that can resist antibiotic treatments. My research explores how blocking the fungus’s ability to absorb and produce the nutrients it needs to grow can significantly reduce filamentation and mycelial growth, ultimately weakening C. albicans and making infections easier to treat.
Recreational destruction: The art of polymer dynamics
Understanding how liquid polymers behave is key to improving their use in manufacturing and materials science. We are exploring how polymer droplets react upon impact in order to develop a cost-effective method for accurately determining liquid polymer characteristics. This striking image captures a hollow polymer droplet milliseconds after it collided with a surface. As it recoils, it briefly forms a mesmerizing structure of interconnected droplets and bubbles linked by a delicate filament. The shape and lifespan of that formation as well as the size of its components depend on the polymer's surface tension and viscosity, which in turn dictate how the structure collapses, recoils and reforms. The filament stretches and thins over time, while smaller droplets and bubbles form as energy dissipates. By studying these rapid transformations, we can turn fluid dynamics into measurable data, bridging the gap between polymer science and practical diagnostics.
Sheer anatomy
Sheer fabric offers an excellent foundation for the creation of stretchable electrodes, unlocking possibilities for advanced wearable technologies. Understanding the structure of these fabrics is key to developing flexible electronic materials. This image shows a cross-section of Wolford-branded, 15-denier pantyhose composed of spandex and nylon fibres. The thicker central spandex fibre gives the fabric its stretch, while the surrounding nylon coils add durability. The fibres are so tightly intertwined that separating them is incredibly challenging, but we were able to capture this close-up of the spandex fibre. The fabric is semitransparent due to the gaps between the threads, and becomes more transparent as it stretches. When coated with metal, this fabric can function as an electrode in a light-emitting device. This innovative application has exciting potential for use in smart clothing, health-care monitoring, and emergency safety gear.
Small boats, big glaciers
Glaciers in the Canadian Arctic are retreating rapidly due to climate change. My research explores how marine-terminating glaciers—glaciers that extend into the sea—affect marine phytoplankton, the microscopic organisms that form the foundation of ocean ecosystems. This image shows one such glacier behind a boat owned and operated by Ausuittuq Adventures. Collaboration with Inuit experts enables safe navigation and sampling near these glaciers. This collaborative research will help us understand what role these glaciers play in shaping ocean ecosystems and improve predictions about what might happen as they inevitably retreat and disappear.
Synaptic sunset
Neurons control every regulatory process in our bodies through electrical and chemical signals, relying on mitochondria for energy. When mitochondria are malfunctioning, they contribute to neuronal dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases, among them autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay, a rare genetic disorder that affects movement and coordination. Learning more about neuronal dysfunction is key to developing treatments. This micrograph shows motor neurons derived from iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells), cells taken from a patient and reprogrammed into neural cells. Three fluorescent markers highlight key structures—the nuclei (blue), axons (red) and dendrites (green)—and create a captivating sunset-like pattern. However, like a sunset fades into night, patients with this disorder will eventually lose their motor neurons to the cover of darkness. By studying patient-derived neurons, I aim to uncover the mechanisms behind neurodegeneration, paving the way for potential treatments.
The decisive moment
White pine trees across North America are being devastated by the orange rust fungus Cronartium ribicola. This pathogen hijacks the tree’s resources, fuelling infection and destruction—so understanding how it infects its hosts is key to protecting these forests. This microscopic image shows the fungus as it enters the pine’s stomatal pores (microscopic holes on the surface of the needles). Once inside, the fungus invades the pine’s tissues and takes over its metabolic machinery, diverting the tree’s resources to fuel its own proliferation. What makes C. ribicola so successful? It is a shapeshifter within a two-host system: changes throughout its life cycle allow it to alternatively colonize pine trees and gooseberry shrubs. By studying its complex life cycle and two-host specificity, I aim to uncover the evolutionary secrets behind its resilience and find strategies to protect North America’s white pines.
The plastic side of the moon
Plastic has fascinating microscopic structures that influence its electrical properties. My research explores how the size of plastic crystals affects the performance of polymer-based materials in electronics. Polypropylene, a semicrystalline plastic and type of polymer, forms crystals that can be seen under a polarized optical microscope. This image shows how these crystals scatter light, creating a bright, moon-like pattern. Dark boundaries separate the individual crystal grains. By studying how crystal grain size influences the electrical properties of polymeric materials, we can improve the design of capacitors, sensors, electricity generators, and static-resistant packaging. This knowledge could lead to more efficient and versatile polymer-based electronics.
The silent cry of failing kidneys
Renal function is essential to human health, and kidney damage is linked to many diseases. Up to 2.9 million Canadians may be suffering from chronic kidney disease. A key factor in kidney health is the proper distribution of proteins within cells, which is crucial for organ function. This image shows the effects of ischemia, a condition in which oxygen supply to the kidney is reduced, impairing organ function. The green signal on the image indicates the presence of aquaporin-1, a water channel protein that is normally found in the cell membrane of unstressed cells. The red signal marks HuR, an RNA-binding protein located in the cell nucleus (blue). The distribution of these proteins in the stressed kidney cells is a sign of organ damage. My research explores how kidney cell morphology and protein distribution change in response to ischemia.
To kill a cancer cell: Go for the nano-gold
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Current therapies rarely lead to a cure—but nanomedicine has the potential to improve patient outcomes. Our work explores how gold nanoparticles, called nano-gold, affect human glioblastoma cells. We focused on the cytoskeleton (the structure that helps organize the cell’s internal constituents) since its disruption can lead to the cell’s death. This image depicts a glioblastoma cell treated with nano-gold (red). The cytoskeleton is stained green, while the nucleus is in blue. The nano-gold caused significant damage to different parts of the cell; it triggered a profound reorganization of both the cytoskeleton and nucleus, which culminated in the death of the glioblastoma cell. The results speak to nano-gold’s potential in cancer therapy and offer great hope for the use of nanomedicine in the treatment of cancer.
Unexpected reactions
Quantum materials have unique properties that can revolutionize technology—but trying to develop a blueprint for new molecules can lead to surprises. Often, the elements mingle in unpredictable ways, and the chemist, like a detective, must then ask questions: What happened? Why did it happen? Can it be useful to us? The huge, iridescent crystals in this image formed when we were attempting to crystallize a new quantum material. Instead of the structure we had expected, the elements had rearranged themselves into a beautiful triangular shape. That unexpected structure helped us shed light on an unexplained signal we had observed in our target material. In chemistry, unforeseen results can lead to major discoveries, from new reactions to life-saving drugs. The crystals shown here serve as a reminder that nature is in control. Nature doesn’t always behave the way we want it to, but it is always beautiful. This research was made possible, in part, through the University of Calgary Chemistry Department’s X-ray Crystallography lab and Dr. Wen Zhou’s invaluable technical expertise.
Viral blossoms
Every day, nature produces intricate microscopic structures that scientists have been trying to replicate with biological materials for decades. Wrinkled structures are very important because they pack a high surface area into a small space, much like a crumpled piece of paper. The tiny flower-like formations shown here, each smaller than a needle prick, are built entirely of bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria). These delicate structures form spontaneously when bacteriophages are exposed to carbon dioxide at high pressure—a serendipitous discovery. Thanks to this finding, we were able to develop a biologics-friendly way to create microscopic structures very similar to those found in nature. This breakthrough enabled us to design a powerful biosensor for detecting the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease in contaminated industrial water samples.
Washing away the ash
Around the world, wildfires are more and more frequent and severe, with devastating consequences. While their impacts on land are visible and unmistakable, fires also affect aquatic environments when ash falls into water bodies or is washed into them from the landscape. Once in the water, ash can release contaminants, such as metals and organic combustion byproducts, putting aquatic life at risk. This image shows a freshwater crayfish swimming in ash-contaminated water, with flecks of ash littering its back, as it reaches upward to escape the contamination. The orange enhancements represent the glow of the flames overhead. Water does not burn, but even aquatic organisms cannot escape the impact of fire. Through my research, I explore how wildfire ash affects aquatic animals’ respiration and metabolism. By understanding how these creatures survive and cope with wildfires, I hope to contribute to species conservation.
