Friday beautiful science

This weeks Friday beautiful science comes from Eye of Science:

Scales from the skin of a shark. These sharply pointed placoid scales are also known as dermal teeth or denticles. They give the shark's skin the feel of sandpaper. The tip of each scale is made of dentine overlayed with dental enamel. The lower part of each scale, which anchors it into the skin, is made of bone. The scales disrupt turbulence over the skin, considerably reducing the drag on the shark as it swims. This design has been investigated by engineers for use on the surfaces of aircraft and boats. Coloured scanning electron micrograph, Magnification: x70.

Eye of Science is a:

two-person team of photographer and biologist,
our aim is to combine scientific exactness with aesthetic
appearances, and thereby help to bridge the gap
between the world of science and the world of art.

Friday beautiful science

Today's image is of:

"A microplankton sample pulled from the depths of the Antarctic Sea was captured by a scanning electron micrograph."

with false color applied. This photo won an honorable mention in 2004 at the NSF's Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge. Taken by Dee Breger, you can see more images here. Happy Friday.