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Not just printed paper Like the first series of Euro banknotes the Europe banknotes are printed on pure cotton paper, which gives them their special crispness and more resistance to wear than plain paper. Certain security features, such as watermarks and security threads incorporated into the paper and often also the foil and the gold track are part of the paper itself. If the paper is completed, the printing process can begin. Different types of plates, special inks and printing techniques are used: among others offset for the front and back side, plate print for the palpable ink, screen printing for the special color-changing ink, book printing for the serial number and hot printing for the hologram. After printing, the sheets are cut into bills. Subsequently, the final check takes place: is the picture looking good and is there no dirt which came along? If so, the euro banknotes are ready to be issued. It is really worth to have a look once at Euro banknotes under the microscope and to marvel at the intricate structure and the technical feat of the advanced way of paper making and printing.
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| No watch without a microscope No watch without a microscope It is obvious that timepieces are of extremely great importance for the functioning of many processes in society. These beautiful examples of craftsmanship must meet high quality standards. A great precision is required during manufacture. There the microscope comes into play. The user should be able to count on an accurate and durable indication of time. It is clear that the above is only possible thanks to the existence of, amongst others, excellent optical equipment. In the picture a part of an old Russian pocket watch is shown. It is a curiosity from the beginning of the seventies of the last century. |
| Just stones? Tumbled stones are small pieces of rocks and minerals (usually about one to five centimeters in diameter) that have been processed in a rock tumbler to produce smooth, rounded and highly polished pebbles. Most stones that a person can find will not tumble with good results. The rocks and minerals used to make tumbled stones are specially selected for their color, translucence, appearance and ability to accept a high polish. These special materials are known as "tumbling rough". Some people collect their own tumbler rough and some buy it from a hobby supply store. Tumbled stones are often so beautiful that many people call them “tumbled gemstones.” Tumbled gemstones are used to make jewelry, craft projects and other decorative items. They are also widely collected by people who appreciate their beauty and have always been associated with spiritual and healing properties by some superstitious people. They are especially enjoyed by children. Tumbled gemstones are extremely popular in gift shops – especially gift shops found at science centers, caverns and other natural science attraction s. Many geologists obtained their first interest in rocks and minerals when they received tumbled stones as a gift or discovered them in a store. |
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Art, design and crystals
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Wool, too tight for comfort? |
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Urea, a chemical indispensable for life |
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Multipurpose polyester |
| Crystal clear and colorful Crystal structure of Phenyl-2-hydroxybenzoate or phenyl salicylate, or salol, is presented here by using polarization microscopy. It is a chemical substance, introduced in 1886 by Marceli Nencki of Basel. It can be created by heating salicylic acid with phenol. It appears in the form of small white crystals or crystalline powder with pleasant aromatic odour and taste. Once used in sunscreens, phenyl salicylate is now used in the manufacture of some polymers, lacquers, adhesives, waxes and polishes. It has been used as an antiseptic based on the antibacterial activity upon hydrolysis in the small intestine. It acts as a mild analgesic. |
