2026 Image of the year finalists – cast your votes!
We are thrilled to reveal the Top 10 Finalists for the ANFF-VIC Image of the Year Competition! Celebrating the extraordinary intersection of cutting-edge nanofabrication, materials science, and visual art, this year’s shortlisted entries showcase everything from atomic-scale diamond terraces and metasurface skylines to precision-engineered biological scaffolds and micro-sculptures.
Now, it’s your turn to help crown the winner. Explore all ten shortlisted entries in the Top 10 Finalists Showcase (PDF), then head over to the Public Voting Poll to cast your vote for your favourite microscopic masterpiece!
Voting will close 9th Oct.
Microwinkle flower
This periwinkle flower was carved out of silicon using focused ion beam milling.
Nanocity: a metasurface skyline
A tilted scanning electron micrograph of a mid-infrared metasurface, where nanoscale pillars form a miniature city-like landscape. Each structure is engineered to control infrared light, turning an optical device into an architectural world only micrometres across.
Self-assembled nano-flower scaffold for mRNA delivery in mammalian systems
False-coloured SEM micrograph showing flower-like morphology of mRNA-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) formed from zinc acetate and 2-methylimidazole. The 19-nt mRNA-loaded micron-sized biocomposite was iridium-coated and imaged at 3 kV using an in-lens secondary electron detector on a FEI Verios SEM.
Forged by light: a titanium bone plate shaped through additive manufacturing, where precision engineering meets sculptural form
Born from layers of molten metal, this titanium bone plate reveals the artistry of additive manufacturing. Its flowing geometry and textured surface echo both function and form—engineered for the human body, yet resembling a sculpted artefact that bridges medicine, design and advanced materials science.
Stem cells confined within two-photon polymerised micro-cages reveal geometry-driven cytoskeletal organisation
This image captures stem cells confined within 35 µm 3D micro-cages fabricated using direct laser writing via two-photon polymerisation. Precision-engineered square and circular nanowire architectures mechanically interface with cells at micro resolution. Fluorescence imaging reveals geometry-dependent cytoskeletal organisation, demonstrating the integration of advanced microfabrication with cellular mechanobiology.
Diamond waves
Optical image (Differential Interference Contrast) of a (100) diamond substrate with an electronic grade epilayer grown in the Seki 6500 CVD reactor at the MCN. The image is composed of 9 frames, stitched using ImageJ.
Zombieroo captured in the microwild!
In a world-first event, a micro wildlife biologist was able to capture through her lens the first image of a zombieroo (micropus zombus). The microscopic zombie marsupial shown in this incredible shot appears to be a young female. Her advanced state of decomposition offers a glimpse into her internal organs. Fascinating!
Natural 2D material hyperlens for non-destructive nanoelectronic circuit imaging and inspection
Left: FIB-SEM image of a "CPU" pattern with Au traces (40 nm line width). The pattern was coated with an insulating SiO2 layer before placing a 240 nm-thick alpha-MoO3 flake. Right: Near-field image via s-SNOM on the top surface of alpha-MoO3 flake covered on the buried "CPU" pattern. Here, alpha-MoO3 flake acts as a flat hyperlens for super-resolution imaging.
Threads of brilliance: a titanium screw transformed by a shimmering diamond skin
A surgical screw reimagined at the microscale, where a diamond coating envelops each thread with a luminous texture. The interplay of light across the faceted surface reveals both precision engineering and natural beauty, merging function and form in a material designed for strength, durability and performance.
The black hole
This scanning electron micrograph shows a silicon nanotube decorated with gold nanostar nanoparticles. The localised nanoparticle coating creates optical “hot spots” that improve the delivery of biomolecules into living cells.
