Application Of AFM Research Articles

Measuring the elastic properties of biological samples with the AFM.

We discuss AFM applications in measuring or applying small forces. Instrumentation is reviewed, as well as the ability of the AFM to image living cells and measure elastic properties of biological material and cells on the submicrometer scale. AFM resolution as it pertains to soft materials is also discussed.

Imaging of living cells by atomic force microscopy

The atomic force microscope (AFM, also referred to as the scanning force microscope, SFM) generates images of samples by measuring force interactions between the sample and a small, sharp tip on the end of a flexible cantilever. The general nature of this method permits the investigator to examine a large variety of sample types, including biological specimens. This review will focus on the application of AFM to imaging living cells.

The application of STM and AFM in mineralogical studies in China

The application of STM and AFM in mineralogical studies in China

CR-39 imaged by atomic force microscope

The application of AFM (NanoScope II) for the surface imaging of allyldiglicol carbonate (CR-39) polymer shows great roughness from profile diagrams and direct visulisation of the surface which include polymer separate flakes. There is the idea for imaging free radicals ends by AFM or another type of SPM.

Applications of AFM and STM: Solvation forces in liquids and inelastic photon excitation

We describe here non-standard applications of scanned probe microscopy; one application making use of the force sensitivity of the AFM to measure solvation forces at the liquid-solid interface and the other application based on the STM where the tunnelling current is used to excite photon emission from a surface.An interesting aspect of the solid-liquid interface is the molecular order induced in the liquid by the solid surface. This order can give rise to observable changes in the short range forces acting between two solids in a liquid medium; so called “solvation” or “structural” forces. As a first investigation of the local variation of short range forces in liquids we have used an AFM to observe solvation forces near a graphite surface. The AFM is ideal for this work as it can typically measure very small forces (∼10-10N) with high lateral (∼0.3nm) and vertical resolution (∼0.03nm). In this study, an optical deflection type AFM is used in which the movement of a small cantilever is sensed by measuring the deflection of a laser beam focussed on the back of the lever.

From micrometer to atomic scale applications of STM and AFM in biology

From micrometer to atomic scale applications of STM and AFM in biology