Microhand, the smallest fingers in the world!

How do we photograph extremely technical subjects, and make the look interesting so there is a greater chance to get published in the mainstream media, and not just in technical journals? How do we make people without any technical background feel curious about the subject instead of feeling ignorant and detached? I used the MEMS(Microelectromechanical Systems) device, designed and manufactured by Professor CJ Kim and his student Wook Choi from UCLA, to demonstrate my creative photographic approach and developed solution.

Normally, when we see scientific subject being photographed, it is either a flat picture under the microscope or a black and white SEM image (Scanning Electron Microscope). In this case, with MEMS devices, you will see most of the images and illustrations done in SEM. SEM provides a much larger DOF (Depth of Field), and can show more details throughout the image. However, two very important elements are lost in this process: the ability to take real-time photos in operation and capturing the eye catching factor -- color.

The device being photographed is a very small robotic hand operated by pressurized nitrogen. Each finger is only less than 4mm long, and composed of multiple sections linked by the airbag. When pressurized, the airbag inflates and closes the fingers. It is so tiny and thin that if you don't know what you are looking at, you might just miss it. I used a super-micro lens to shot this series of images. With a regular camera, I can light the micro subject with dramatic lighting to bring out the device's appeal that could otherwise be way too scientific for most of the people to digest. I also was able to get images of the device while it was working. The challenge was how to light up the subject with a high reflective surface and still maintain the details on transparent airbags while at the same time, capturing fingers moving. It is also usually very difficult to give this kind of high reflective surfaces enough color and make them look interesting. Below are some final shots I got.


Let me know your favorite, or which photo you think explains the functionality, and at the same time creates the "coolness effect" the best?

I've also put together a short animation showing how this MEMS Microhand works.