Crystal palaces--diatoms for engineers

Abstract

A survey of diatom research from the mid-19th century to modern times shows that it has always been closely linked to technological (especially: imaging) progress. Perfection of the light-microscope led to a plethora of studies which--whilst being mostly of a descriptive nature--furnished a solid basis for informative practical applications in biostratigraphy and ecology, for instance. When the electron-microscope (transmission- and scanning-) was invented, diatoms belonged to the very first objects examined and this led to attempts at a more profound structural, functional and morphogenetic interpretation of these fascinating natural Crystal Palaces.