3D insects from engineer Alan Shaw

Alan Shaw, a 57-year-old electromagnetic engineer from South Shields, uses an electron microscope to magnify common insects — such as house flies, beetles, moths, and weevils — up to 300 times their actual size, producing extraordinary 3D portraits that reveal never-before-seen detail. Alan spent 20 years in the Royal Navy, rising to chief weapons officer, before moving into engineering. His fascination with microscopes sparked the hobby, and he drew inspiration from his love of science fiction, particularly the film Alien, noting the striking resemblance between the up-close insects and extraterrestrial creatures. The images are so detailed that even insect experts were unable to identify the exact species, having never seen them at that level of magnification. One notable example: a close-up of a weevil revealed that the creature has ball-and-socket joints in its legs rather than knees. Alan sees educational potential in the work, having already displayed the images in schools, and believes they could eventually find a home in a museum, showcasing both the scientific and artistic possibilities of electron engineering.