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Photomicrographs of ASCORBIC ACID
by Brian Johnston (Canada)[source]
The slides photographed in this article were prepared using pure ascorbic acid rather than Vitamin C capsules or tablets intended for human consumption. The crystals formed are thus not contaminated by any other compounds.
Crystal formation on a microscope slide: solutions which are left to evaporate provide an almost limitless supply of interesting shapes and patterns of crystals to be photographed.
In general, low concentrations of the acid work best. High concentrations result in a glassy looking coating on the slide that may never form crystals. Success may still be achieved in this circumstance by providing sites for crystal growth. Drawing a needle that has touched ascorbic acid crystals over the uncrystallized coating may do the trick, as may placing your thumb print on the coating!
For info on individual images and how they got to look like they do, read more …
(via biognosis)
