Binghamton University Research News
  • News
  • Features
  • Faculty
  • Students
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Subscribe

Winners named in Art of Science contest

By Research Advancement • Apr 30, 2019 • News•   

Two faculty researchers and a staff member took top honors in this year’s Art of Science competition at Binghamton University.

Advances in imaging technology and tools mean that scientists have an increased ability to generate exciting data as well as to create compelling works of art. This contest, organized by Martha Terry from the Office of Research Advancement, offers an opportunity to share the beauty of science through photographs and images that describe some aspect of research captured visually.

The campus community was invited to submit images in three categories:

  • The World Around Us: images in which the subject is visible to the naked eye
  • Visualizing the Unseen: images captured with the use of optics that extend beyond what the eye can see, such as microscopes and telescopes
  • Imagining Science: images that depict objects too small to be visualized directly, models of scientific phenomena or processes or interpretations of scientific information

First place for Imagining Science went to Congrui Grace Jin, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, for her entry titled “Meshed Grains.”

She wrote: To investigate creep rupture of high-temperature components such as gas turbines and steam boilers, our team developed a mesh generator that can generate meshed grains of polycrystalline materials. The grains can be non-uniform in size and randomly distributed. Each grain is meshed using quadratic triangular grain elements; cohesive elements are added at grain boundaries. The figure is generated by MATLAB and rendered by POV-Ray. This project, titled “High-Temperature Creep Failure of Additively Manufactured Metals,” is sponsored by University of Science and Technology Beijing.

In Visualizing the Unseen, first place was awarded to Jeffrey Mativetsky, an associate professor of physics, for an entry titled “Shards.”

He wrote: An organic semiconductor “ink” dries to form crystals of varying thickness that create light interference patterns, much the way an oil slick forms rainbow-like bands. These unconventional semiconducting materials are being explored for next-generation solar cells and electronics that are printable, low-cost, and mechanically flexible.

The Best in Show prize went to the first-place entry in The World Around Us. Michael Jacobson, research development specialist in the Office of Strategic Research Initiatives, took the prize for his entry titled “Fort Anne.”

He wrote: This is a stretched 360-degree view of the top of Battle Hill, the location of British troops during the Battle of Fort Anne. The Public Archaeology Facility’s research showed the significance this little-known battle had on the American Revolution, which led to its preservation.

About three dozen images were evaluated based on scientific significance, originality and artistic and visual impact.

This year’s judges were Hiroki Sayama, director of the Center for Collective Dynamics of Complex Systems and professor in the Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering; John Tagg, SUNY distinguished professor of art history; Anju Sharma, senior scientist in the Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory; undergraduate Rebecca Kiss, photo editor of Pipe Dream; and alumnus and professional photographer Wasim Ahmad.

Like this article? Please share!
art of science
Binghamton earns 'very high research' status
Binghamton names new director for archaeology research center

You Might Also Like

  • Binghamton-led battery initiative named federal Tech Hub

  • Engineer takes top honors in Art of Science contest

  • University, UHS partner on $2.6M MRI scanner

  • Research Days return in April

    Research in the news

    • Modern medicine traces its scientific roots to the Middle Ages

    • Are people born with good balance?

    • Earth to be hit by ‘widespread pest outbreaks’ — and it’s our fault

    • For EV batteries, lithium iron phosphate narrows the gap with nickel, cobalt

    • The revolt of the other mothers

    Recent Comments

    • Resume Format on Computer program spots narcissistic execs
    • Ann Walker on Wasps may provide climate change insights
    • Dejen Habtom on Ancient seawater may yield climate change insights
    • Don Franck on Binghamton battery project wins $500,000; will compete for $100M
    • Dave on Anechoic chamber puts sound to the test
    Binghamton University Binghamton University

    © 2025 Binghamton University State University of New York
    Images used throughout this site are copyright protected. For permission and terms of use, visit the about us page