Research Symposium

BIO

Jennifer Scheckowitz is a Physical Science major and Mathematics minor at Florida State University. She is currently a researcher at the National High Magnetic Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on using digital microscopy techniques to photograph rock and mineral surfaces at high magnifications.

Photomicrography of Rocks and Minerals

Abstract

In this project, I took photomicrographs of the surfaces of various geological subjects with the end goal of submitting a photograph to the 2026 Nikon Small World contest. This occurred under the usage of multiple different types of microscopes, such as the Keyence VHX-7000, Nikon Ni-U, and the Leica EZ4 microscopes. Because my portfolio is focused on geology, I took photographs of a multitude of different rocks and minerals to capture the ideal pictures for my project. Since these subjects were not flat, I mainly used the digital Keyence microscope. The process of capturing an image typically includes finding the right angle, experimenting with the light settings, and using a depth composition feature. Outside of the aesthetic appeal, geological microscopy is an extremely effective learning tool for students and amateur geologists. While many geological subjects may look identical to the naked eye, employing a microscope reveals fascinating new structures and hidden differences between them. This work highlights structural features that often go unnoticed, revealing a whole new world just on the surface of a rock.

Keywords: Geology, microscopy, Bioart, Mineralogy