Black-and-white images of pom-pom–like clusters, semi-translucent fields of tiny dark gray stars on a pale background, and countless other abstract patterns are a familiar sight in scientific papers describing the shapes and properties of newly engineered materials.

So, when research images show particles that resemble puffed popcorn or perfectly smooth “Tic Tacs,” it might not trigger our AI suspicion radar, but researchers in a recent study caution otherwise.

Microscopy images are indispensable in nanomaterials science, as they reveal the hidden intricacies and fascinating shapes that tiny particles assume, which appear to be a pile of dust to the naked eye.