Dennis Kunkel Ph.D. has sold his scientific photography collection to Science Photo Library Ltd. as of November 10, 2016. Science Photo Library now archives 23,000 of Dr. Kunkel's microscopy images, of which 5,150 are available on their web site, with more to come.
Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc. continues to offer assignment photography with related image licensing or buyout, microscopy services and consultation. Dr. Kunkel offers microscopy and photomicrography services for research, educational, industrial and commercial applications. Areas of expertise include Optical Light Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Please contact Dennis Kunkel Ph.D. through the Contact Us page.
Dr. Dennis Kunkel is one of the world's most prominent microscopists, who has devoted more than 40 years of his life to exploring the extraordinary microworld invisible to the naked eye. Dr. Kunkel's expertise and extensive research experience in biological and medical sciences are coupled with a unique gift for capturing these amazing forms in their finest detail. His award-winning images appear worldwide in print, film and digital media such as Time magazine, Scientific American, The New York Times, Life and National Geographic. Dr. Kunkel has made significant contributions in the fields of microbiology, neurobiology and botany and has authored or co-authored 59 research papers in scientific journals. Since 2000 Dr. Kunkel has enjoyed licensing his microscopy images directly to his valued clients. Images were licensed to over 1800 companies in the U.S. as well as clients in 38 countries. Licenses have been granted in editorial, educational and commercial markets.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) transmits electrons, as does a transmission electron microscope (TEM). However, rather than electrons passing through a thin slice of the specimen (as in the TEM), SEMs scan electrons across the surface of a specimen, to create a high-resolution, three-dimensional image. Specimens must be carefully prepared and coated with a thin layer of gold metal to assist in image formation. Due to the energy and wavelength of the electrons that create the image, greater depth of field and higher resolution are achieved when compared to SEM or conventional light microscopy (LM). Very fine details of the exterior morphology and topography of biological and non-biological samples can be photographed with the SEM. Magnifications of 10 to 500,000 times are routine. The SEM provides three-dimensional views of a specimen to facilitate information important in interpreting structural organization.
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
A transmission electron microscope (TEM) transmits electrons through a specimen in a way that is similar to an optical light microscope (OLM / LM), passing light through a specimen. However, instead of glass lenses directing light wavelengths through a specimen the TEM has electromagnetic lenses that direct electrons through a thin specimen. Prior to this imaging, the specimen must be prepared and embedded in epoxy so it can be cut, or 'sectioned', in a thin, hard slice that that will allow electrons to pass through it. Because the wavelength of electrons is much smaller than the wavelength of light, the resolution achieved by the TEM is many times greater than that of the light microscope. Thus, the TEM can reveal the finest internal details of structure - in some cases even individual atoms. Magnifications of 1,000 to 1,000,000 times are routine. If present in a biological sample, internal cell structures (nucleus, mitochondrion, etc.) can be imaged and photographed. With the TEM the micro-structural characterization of non-biological materials, including unit cell periodicity, can be readily determined using combinations of imaging and diffraction techniques. The TEM provides high resolution, two-dimensional views of a specimen. Three-dimensional reconstruction can be achieved with special software programs.
Light Microscopy (LM)
Microscopy and photomicrography with the use of dissecting and compound light microscopes (LM). Light is transmitted through or reflected from a specimen to visualize its components. Magnifications of 5 to 2,000 times can be achieved. Illumination techniques available:
- Bright-field
- Polarized
- Dark-field
- Phase Contrast
- Rheinberg
- Differential Interference Contrast
Microscopy Consultation
Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc. offers microscopy consultation services in the following areas:
- Technical consultation for microscopy and photomicrography in medical, biological and non-biological fields.
- Educational consultation in curricula development and specialized science programs involving microscopy and photomicrography.
- Museum/photography exhibition consultation for design and production of exhibitions involving microscopy.
Microscopy Assignment, Services and Consultation
Microscopy and photomicrography have important applications in many scientific, medical, industrial and commercial areas. The following is a selected list where microscopy and photomicrography services can be utilized.
- Natural science research - studies of morphological and structural features in fields such as botany, zoology, geology, and materials science.
- Medical research, biomaterials, and diagnostics - studies of medically related issues such as morphological characterizations of disease, hair, teeth, bone, nails, and tissues.
- Ecology and environmental contaminants - studies or detection of environmental products and contaminants such as asbestos, allergenic pollen, natural and synthetic chemicals, etc.
- Quality analysis of industrial products - studies of material structures and circuitry, examination and detection of chemical integrity contamination and corrosion of metal and non-metal components.
- Agriculture and food / microbial processes - studies of food products and microbial processes that occur in nature or are synthesized.
- Criminal investigations - studies of forensics sample characteristics.
- Forestry and forest products - studies of wood structure, plant disease, natural plant defense, examination of laminated and particulate wood products, wood resins.
- Electronics - studies on polymers, coatings, bonding, and ceramics.
- Publications - magazines, newspapers, journals and books and educational textbooks.
- Educational curricula - development of learning tools involving microscopy to present diversified views of science in the classroom.
- Interactive educational CD-ROMs - use of microscopy in educational CD-ROMs to create awareness of the complexity of biological and ecological systems.
- Exhibitions - science and photography exhibitions featuring large format images from microscopes, in accompaniment with a "virtual microscopes".
- Advertising - presentation to the public of the "unseen" impact of the effectiveness or failure to use a certain product, such as in food science, housekeeping, safety, medicine and pharmaceutical.
- Products - such as: art prints, posters, calendars, music jackets, mouse pads and postcards.
Contact Dennis Kunkel, Ph.D. for information regarding microscopy services and assignment photography.