On May 26, 2014, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn paid a royal private visit to NSTDA and Nano Characterization Laboratory at NANOTEC to produce a series of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images on specific items such as butterfly wings, abalone shell, lavender leaf, basil leaf, chilli, silkworm cocoon and nano bednet fabrics. HRH worked on her own to produce SEM images that were up to 40,000 times magnification.
HRH interest in nano-scale images stems from having seen many excellent SEM images during both domestic and overseas trips to research centers. HRH is keen to understand the working mechanisms between the structure and function of living organisms and natural structures. This quest for knowledge and understanding encourages the production of SEM images of items that are of HRH’s interest. “It is a historic event for NANOTEC in providing scanning electron microscopes and our team of scientists to support the hands-on royal visit at our state-of-the-art facilities” said Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Executive Director, NANOTEC. “HRH selected and prepared the samples, coated using ion sputtering and then captured the images under SEM”. Prof. Sirirurg went on to say that some of the selected samples were of HRH Royal Initiative projects such as the lavender leaf which was from the Essential Oil Cash Crop Research Project in Chiang Rai province under the Chaipattana Foundation.
Dr. Thaweesak Koanantakool President of NSTDA, Prof. Pairash Thajchayapong, Chairman of NANOTEC Executive Board, Prof. Sirirurg and the entire NANOTEC staff were on hand to welcome HRH. The private visit by HRH is a memorable occasion and is a historical event for both NSTDA and NANOTEC.
