Albert Einstein once observed that the greatest scientists are often artists as well. That’s certainly true at Medtronic where several engineers, scientists, and researchers recently competed in a company-wide art contest.

The annual Art Within Science Contest at Medtronic showcases works of art that are inspired by employees’ day-to-day work in the research and design of healthcare technology.

Artwork was reviewed by a panel and judging was based on artistic merit such as overall impression, contrast/color, and composition. In addition to the juried artwork, there was also a People’s Choice award voted on by participants of the company’s annual science and technology conference.

“There’s a lot more creativity in science than people realize,” said Abby Lawrence, Senior Scientist for Core Technologies, who was a part of the team that organized Art Within Science contest.

Take a look at some of the Art Within Science entries from 2022 below.

 

First Place

“A Garden of Eden”

Artists: Nicole Kirchhof, Louanne Cheever, Jessica Zimmer

The histological "Movat stain" vividly colors at least five different cell and tissue components as depicted here for a lung sample. The complicated lung morphology with its various components of airways and blood vessels is one of the few locations in the body where this half-century old stain unfolds the full spectrum of its beauty. The artists describe the image as, “Undoubtedly, a feast for the eyes as it visualizes a ‘Garden of Eden.’”

 

Second place

“Image of a Mouse Cell Reaching out on Raptor Granules”

Artists: Cindy Ogden, Ping Li, Ian Dunkley, Hannah Jeffers, Margaret Broz

This image shows a cell from a mouse on a calcium phosphate surface. A Medtronic team was looking at how cells adhered to a newly developed synthetic bone graft.

 

Third place

“Scratching the Surface”

Artist: Margaret Broz

This scanning electron microscope image shows debris on the surface of an implantable device after performance testing.  Coated with an isolating layer to protect titanium-sensitive patients, this test demonstrates the excellent adhesion between the coating and the metal below.

 

People’s Choice Award

“The Tulip”

Artist: Mohammad Miri

This 3D image was captured by a Medtronic team developing a device to help control bleeding. The image is the result of modeling and simulation of a patented bleeding control handpiece.

 

“Arterial Love”

Artist: Carlos Lima

This is an image of a dehydrated renal artery shaped like a heart captured by a Medtronic team reviewing histology slides.

 

“Wavy Collagen”

Artists: Alfonso Santiago and Andrew Francis

This is a tissue from a pig’s heart as seen by through second harmonic generation imaging.

 

“Frozen Breath”

Artists: Sarah Ahlberg and Nic Coulombe

This is an image of ice crystals forming within bronchi. The artists remarked, “Living in Minnesota and Montreal, snowflakes and ice crystals are a common occurrence, but every once in awhile, when you take a minute and really look at how delicate they are, it’s really breathtaking.”

 

“Planetary Formations”

Artists: Olga Furman and Jennifer Strehlau

This is a closeup image captured during design development of an adhesive used to treat varicose veins.

 

“First Sign of Winter”

Artist: Andrew Francis

This is an image of salt crystal taken using scanning electron microscopy on a battery.

 

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