Atomic force microscopy or scanning tunneling microscopy (AFM/STM) is a powerful single molecule tool for the visualization of biological materials at sub-nanometer resolution. AFM is versatile because it can directly measure physical properties due to its sensitivity at picoNewton force scales, thus enabling dissection of molecular forces. STM/AFM has been considered revolutionary since its di...

The frequency response of a cantilever beam is strongly dependent on the fluid in which it is immersed. In a companion study, Sader @J. Appl. Phys. 84, 64, ~1998!# presented a theoretical model for the flexural vibrational response of a cantilever beam, that is immersed in a viscous fluid, and excited by an arbitrary driving force. Due to its relevance to applications of the atomic force micros...

During the past two decades, there have been tremendous developments in near-field imaging and local probing techniques. Examples are the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM), Photon Scanning Tunneling Microscope (PSTM), and Scanning Thermal Microscope (SThM).Results showed that the average reflectance for a dopant con...

An atomic force microscope (AFM) and spectrometer combined system for in-situ thickness measurement of nano-porous alumina (PA) films is introduced. The AFM is applied to obtain the porosity of PA film, and then we calculate the effective refractive index by Maxwell-Garnett effective dielectric constant theory. The optical thickness of PA film is determined by reflective interference spectromet...

Fluid force microscopy combines the positional accuracy and force sensitivity of an atomic force microscope (AFM) with nanofluidics via a microchanneled cantilever. However, adequate loading and cleaning procedures for such AFM micropipettes are required for various application situations. Here, a new frontloading procedure is described for an AFM micropipette functioning as a force- and pressu...

This review reports on the use of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the investigation of cell scaffolds in recent years. It is shown how the technique is able to deliver information about the scaffold surface properties (e.g., topography), as well as about its mechanical behavior (Young’s modulus, viscosity, and adhesion). In addition, this short review also points out the utilization of the...

Atomic force microscope (AFM) users often calibrate the spring constants of cantilevers using functionality built into individual instruments. This calibration is performed without reference to a global standard, hindering the robust comparison of force measurements reported by different laboratories. Here, we describe a virtual instrument (an internet-based initiative) whereby users from all l...

In recent years, considerable attention has focused on biological applications of the atomic force microscope (AFM), in particular on high-resolution imaging of individual biological molecules and on the measurement of molecular forces under near-physiological conditions. The detection of intermolecular forces in the piconewton range has paved the way to investigate details on structural parame...

High resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be performed simultaneously with optical microscopy techniques, such as fluorescence or differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The combined methodologies provide complementary information about the studied sample which establishes the basis for a better understanding of physiological processes and the function of biomolecules, and ...