Oct. 09, 2026
Scanning electron micrograph transformed into a miniature valley landscape, with illustrated waterfalls, vegetation, flowers, wildlife, explorers, and a 5-micrometer scale bar.

The National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) announced the winners of the 2026 image contest. The contest, Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom, celebrates the beauty of the micro and nanoscale.

Sites from across the NNCI contributed stunning, unique, and whimsical images of the micro and nanoscale for the 2026 image contest. The public cast over 1,700 votes to determine this year’s winners. First place winning artists will receive up to $1,000 in travel support to a professional conference of their choice and their sites receive a framed print of their winning image. Sites who received honorable mentions will also receive a framed print of their image. 

View the winners on the NNCI website.

News Contact

Amelia Neumeister | Communications Manager

The Institute for Matter and Systems