Researching Collection (#7)

Mobile physics laboratory. Researchers unloading acoustic and other equipment from a mobile physics laboratory. Photographed in the Physics Division of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

Mass balance. Researcher using a high-precision mass balance in a standards laboratory. Photographed in the Standards Division at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

Mekometre surveying, 1967
Mekometre surveying. Surveyor using a mekometre, an instrument used to measure long distances at extremely high resolution

High-precision spectrometer. Researcher using a spectrometer that has been designed to give results with high accuracy and precision. Spectrometry is the analysis of the electromagnetic spectrum

One-metre interference comparator, 1963
One-metre interference comparator. Researchers using the interference comparator to determine the exact length of a metre using microwaves

Ion chromatography system
MODEL RELEASED. Ion chromatography system. Ion chromatography (or ion-exchange chromatography) is the process of ion and polar molecule separation, based on the charge properties of the molecules

Vertical collimator. Researcher looking through the eyepiece of a vertical collimator. This device is designed to narrow and focus light onto a particular point

Radiant matter physics, 19th century
" Radiant matter" physics. 19th-century artwork of physicists carrying out experiments on what they called radiant matter

Absolute voltmeter, 1951
Absolute voltmeter. This absolute voltmeter measures up to 500, 000 volts. The voltage to be measured is applied between two parallel discs, which results in a force of attraction between the discs

Haemoglobin blood test. Researcher using optical equipment to test for the presence of haemoglobin in a blood sample. Haemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment that gives blood its red colour

Caesium atomic clock. In this clock, atoms of vapourised caesium-133 oscillate between two energy levels as they pass back and forth between magnets at each end of the resonator (long cylinder)

Dolphin and swimmer
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) playing with a swimmer. The bottlenose dolphin is distributed around the globe, with the exception of the polar oceans and inland seas

Napoleon wrasse and diver
Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) with a scuba diver. Also called the humphead wrasse, this is the largest of the wrasses, reaching a length of over three metres

Analysing fuel oil for silicone traces
MODEL RELEASED. Analysing fuel oil for silicone traces, using an absorption spectroscope. Metal and silicone impurities in fuel oil can lead to problems such as inefficient combustion

Electromagnetic formation flight testbed (EMFF). Researcher examines the EMFF testbed. This machine is designed to test alternative forms of propulsion for future formation-flying space satellites

Determining cetane number for diesel
MODEL RELEASED. Determining cetane number for diesel, using an IQT (Ignition Quality Tester). The cetane number (CN) is a measure of diesel combustion quality

Embryo research. Computer artwork of a needle entering the amniotic sac of a human embryo. Research on embryos is controversial

Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii
Mauna Kea Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA. One of the two American Keck dome telecopes is on the right and the Japanese Subaru telescope is on the left

Exploring Europas ocean, artwork
Exploring Europas ocean. Artwork of two probes (centre) using lights to explore below the ice covering the ocean on Europa, a moon of Jupiter

Gravity Probe B satellite, artwork
Gravity Probe B satellite, computer artwork. The Earth (background) is shown warping a grid of space-time. The Gravity Probe B satellite is an experiment that was conducted by NASA

Bell X-1A in flight. Aeroplane used in early supersonic aircraft research. This rocket-powered aircraft was a development of the first ever supersonic aircraft, the X-1

Supermarine Spitfire, 1940
Supermarine Spitfire. This model of the Supermarine Spitfire plane has been inverted and suspended inside a wind tunnel for aerodynamic testing

Model ship testing, 1953
Model ship testing. Researcher observing the sideways launch of a model trawler. Photographed in 1953, in the Ship Division of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

Propeller cavitation. Test being carried out on a propeller to study cavitation effects. Cavitation is the formation of bubbles in a liquid due to changes in pressure

Radio-controlled model tug, 1955
Radio-controlled model tug in a test tank being operated by a researcher. Photographed in 1955, in the Ship Division of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

Infinite library, conceptual computer artwork. This could represent the increasing amount of information available online

Param Padma supercomputer. Dr Subrata Chattopadhyay pictured with the Param Padma supercomputer. This is Indias most powerful supercomputer, capable of a peak computing power of one Teraflop

Producing interference gratings
Technician producing interference gratings. Here, a laser beam is being divided and then recombined to generate a very fine pattern of interference fringes (parallel light and dark bands)

Solar parabolic mirrors, Cologne, Germany
Solar parabolic mirrors at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Cologne, Germany. These mirrors at DLR are part of Germanys largest research group on solar concentrating technologies

Bulb research. Prototype low heat light bulb being tested within a miniature Ulbricht, or integrating, sphere. Once closed

Testing sputum for lung diseases. Image 3 of 3. Researcher applying sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs) from a patient to a glass slide

Avian flu research, conceptual artwork
Avian flu research, conceptual computer artwork. Researchers are trying to develop treatments and vaccines to avian flu before it can mutate into a form that can spread between humans

Rescue of Soviet Arctic expedition, 1938
Rescue of Soviet Arctic expedition. Members of the first Soviet drifting station " North Pole-1", in 1938, being rescued from their ice floe in the Arctic, which had started to break up

Delta wing in a wind tunnel, 1964
Delta wing being inspected by a researcher in a wind tunnel. A delta wing is a triangular wing used on high-speed aircraft

Aerodynamics experiment. Researcher adjusting aeronautical equipment being used in a physics experiment. Photographed in the Aerodynamics Division of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

Laboratory research
MODEL RELEASED. Laboratory research. Two researchers talking by a computer in a laboratory

Electronics City, India
Electronics City. Entrance to Electronics City, technology park in Bangalore, India. It is home to numerous electronics and information technology companies, including InfoSys, Motorola and Siemens

Radiation measurements, 1948
Radiation measurements. Researcher (right) using a Geiger Mueller gamma ray counter to measure the radiation levels in a test subject (left)

Radon measurements, 1948
Radon measurements. Researcher using an alpha-particle ionisation method to measure the radon content of breath samples. Radon is a radioactive gas found in nature

Hydrogen fuel cell research. The hydrogen fuel cell is the metal box at centre. Sensors and computers (one at upper right) are being used to monitor its performance

Space research. Computer artwork of two satellites in Earth orbit for biological research. A mouse is seen in one of the satellites

Soviet experiments on lunar soil, 1970
Soviet experiments on lunar soil. The first Soviet mission to return a sample of lunar soil to the Earth was Luna 16, which landed back on Earth on 24 September 1970

Messenger spacecraft at Mercury, computer artwork. The Messenger spacecraft is due to be launched during a 13-day window from 2 August 2004

Testing an analgesic inhaler, 1955
Testing an analgesic inhaler. This inhaler (lower right) contained trichloroethylene, an analgesic commonly used by midwives assisting in childbirth

Inoculating chicken eggs. Medical researchers working on treatment for bird viruses. At left, one researcher is marking the eggs, while at right

Guericke experimenting with electricity
Otto von Guericke (1602-1686), German physicist, operating the first static electricity generator. His generator consisted of a large ball of sulphur (yellow)

Franklins lightning experiment, 1752
Benjamin Franklins lightning experiment. Coloured artwork of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) and his 21-year-old son William, performing their famous experiment on 15 June 1752

Galileos pendulum observations, 1582
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Italian scientist, observing the pendulum-like swinging of a lamp in Pisa Cathedral, Italy, in 1582

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Unveiling the Secrets: A Journey Through Time and Space in Research" Embarking on a scientific odyssey, researchers have been unearthing groundbreaking discoveries for centuries. From the invention of the mass spectrometer in 1954 to Simpson's pioneering work on anaesthetics in the 1840s, these milestones have propelled us forward. Witnessing the space shuttle landing, we marvel at humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond our earthly boundaries. Meanwhile, a black-capped chickadee poses against a pristine white background, capturing its essence with artistic precision. Intriguingly adorable, a harvest mouse meticulously cleans its nose on common hogweed—a charming moment frozen in time. The anti-proton experiment conducted at Berkeley in 1955 showcases our quest to unravel the mysteries of particle physics. Delving into our roots, we explore intricate family trees that connect generations past and present. A whimsical microbiology caricature from the 19th century reminds us of how far we've come in understanding microscopic life forms. Glimpses into history reveal an early telephone depicted through historical artwork—an innovation that revolutionized communication forever. Soviet Arctic explorer Papanin braves treacherous terrains while Nikolai Vavilov tirelessly studies botany—both emblematic figures who pushed boundaries for scientific exploration. Amidst it all lies elemental analysis—the cornerstone of countless breakthroughs across various disciplines—unlocking nature's secrets one element at a time. Research is not merely about facts; it represents humanity's insatiable curiosity and unwavering determination to push boundaries further than ever before, and is this spirit that propels us towards new frontiers and fuels our endless pursuit of knowledge.