Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of corn fibers. The manufacture of corn fibers starts with the fermentation, distillation and polymerization of a simple plant sugar, corn glucose. The fermentation products are transformed into a high-performance polymer called polylactide, which is then spun or otherwise processed into corn fiber for use in a wide range of textiles. The fibers may be recycled or composted. Image width: 128 micrometers. Magnification: 780x if the image is printed 10 cm wide.