We’ve got all got them littering our homes and classrooms: dead bugs, rotten fruit, used wine corks, the list goes on. But, what to do with them? You could try composting them or using them for an art project, but a couple of weeks ago a much more intriguing option arose when I received an email from scanning electron microscope manufacturer, ASPEX.

ASPEX is offering readers a free scan of any sample you care to send them, a hair, an insect, a grape. Apparently, this offer has been shared on the blogosphere already recently, but I’ve been lazy with SciScoop updates and only now getting around to publishing their offer. But, that might be a god thing as you’ll miss the initial rush.

Once they receive your sample they’ll post the electron micrograph online for you and your friends to ogle. I can almost sense that some of you are thinking about updating your Twitter avatar and Facebook bio photo…with something disgusting and close up.

You can view some of the benchtop SEM scans they have done so far and find out more on the ASPEX site here.