Virtual Backgrounds

NSF research impacts nearly every field of science and engineering. NSF's influence reaches from the ends of the Earth to the depths of the oceans and to space and beyond. Explore some of our most beautiful images below to download for your next virtual meeting.

an illustration of mixed colors shows a cross section through a cell infected with a coronavirus

This illustration, titled "Coronavirus Life Cycle," shows a cross section through a cell infected with a coronavirus such as SARS-CoV-2 as it's actively replicating, and new viruses are being created. The cell’s molecules are shown in blues and greens, and the viral molecules are shown in pinks and purples

Credit: David S. Goodsell, RCSB Protein Data Bank and Scripps Research

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Graphic showing a butterfly specimen overtop a portion of the largest butterfly tree of life ever created. The "tree" was assembled with DNA from more than 2000 butterfly species representing all butterfly families and 92% of genera.

Credit: Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace and phylogeny by Hillis, Zwickl, and Gutell

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Researchers, working with a subset of 2D hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites -- thin films consisting of alternating organic and inorganic layers in a highly ordered crystalline structure, as shown here – engineered materials that are both stiff and capable of insulating against heat. This extremely unusual combination of properties holds promise for a range of applications.

Credit: Jun Liu, North Carolina State University

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This illustration shows an abstract array of colors to demonstrate a vaccine that was designed using a new method called germline targeting that stimulates the immune system to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.

This illustration, titled "HIV Vaccine," shows a vaccine that was designed using a new method called germline targeting that stimulates the immune system to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV. The antibodies bind to important yet difficult to access regions of the virus’ surface that don’t vary much from strain to strain.

Credit: David S. Goodsell, RCSB Protein Data Bank and Scripps Research

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A late seasonal sunrise overlooking Arthur’s Harbor on the south-west coast of Anvers Island in the Palmer Archipelago of Antarctica. The U.S. Antarctic Program is managed by NSF.

Credit: Randall Rhodes/USAP

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