The 2011 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge winners include this informational poster, which traces galaxies and dark matter throughout the universe.
This computational molecular phenotype image of a mouse's eye reveals the diversity of cell metabolism in the retina. The optic nerve is in the upper right of the image. The rectus muscles can be seen in red and gold, attached to the green sclera (the white part of the eye). Retinal layers appear in a rainbow of colors from light gold to pink and purple, while other cells show up in blue and green.
This honorable mention photo is the skin of an immature cucumber, magnified 800 times. These structures are called "trichomes," and they act as little spears, protecting the young vegetable from plant-eaters. The lower part of the trichomes contains bitter, toxic chemicals that make herbivores go "ick!"
It's not the edge of the Grand Canyon; this People's Choice winner was created by placing a layered compound called Ti3AIC2 in hydrofluoric acid. The acid selectively etches away some layers of the compound, creating this odd scene.
This honorable mention illustration shows tumor death-cell receptors (DR5) on breast cancer cells targeted by the antibody TRA-8.
This three-dimensional illustration, which garnered an honorable mention, shows the production of carbon nanotubes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln electrical engineer Yongfeng Lu discovered a laser-based production technique that can create these nanotubes to careful specifications.
This honorable mention visualization shows the visualization of a complex function using colors to represent every complex number. Complex functions are important in math, physics and engineering.
This image of cell separation garnered a People's Choice award for its creator. The cell membrane is shown in blue and the cell's chromosomes in yellow as the cell divides or undergoes mitosis.
This honorable mention poster reveals the inner and outer workings of the deadly virus Ebola.
A screengrab from a winning interactive game called "Foldit" that allows players to compete against one another to fold the most efficient protein shape for a task.
Taking an honorable mention in the gaming category, The Power of Minus Ten allows players to zoom in on the human body at different levels of magnification, all the way down to the molecular level as seen in this screengrab.
Developed as a technology demonstrator for National Skills Development of India, "Velu the Welder" follows an apprentice named Velu as he learns the craft. Players can use a Nintendo Wii remote or a mouse to learn welding skills virtually.
In the plot of Meta!Blast 3D, you're a hapless lab worker who has to rescue a team of scientists trapped inside a photosynthetic cell. To make matters worse, an unknown pathogen is decimating Earth's vegetation. Designed for students and educators, this game garnered an honorable mention.
The final honorable mention in the gaming category goes to "Build-a-Body," a game that lets computer users play surgeon -- without all that messy blood and bile. Drag-and-drop organs and take anatomy quizzes and you'll be ready for the OR in no time.
