As a microplate rotates, it accumulates material at its edges, forming a spiral-like shape.

ECONOMIST: Geophysics

The researchers at Imperial say it can be more effective because is has a different, spiral shape.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Graft hope for dialysis patients

The result was to convert the surface of a glass plate into the shape of a spiral staircase with 16 steps.

ECONOMIST: A way to detect Earth-sized planets around other stars