Caption

Hemp material. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a material formed from fibres from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) contained in a matrix. Hemp fibres are strong and durable, and can be used to make clothing, rope and paper. The fibres come from the plant's leaves, and can be up to 1.5 metres long. They have a complex structure of winding strands of cellulose surrounded by layers of hemicellulose and lignin. The fibres can be mixed with plastic to make biocomposite materials that are stronger than plastic alone. Magnification: x200 when printed 10cm wide.