Amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy (AM-AFM) is one of the most popular AFM modes because of the reduced tip-sample interaction, compared to contact mode AFM, and the ability to acquire high-resolution images while interrogating the sample's material composition through phase imaging. Despite the reduced tip-sample interaction, tip and sample wear can occur through gradual atomic scale...

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is traditionally used as an imaging technique to gain qualitative information for a biological system. We have successfully used the imaging capabilities of the AFM to determine protein-protein association constants. We have developed a method to measure the molecular weight of a protein based on its volume determined from AFM images. Our volume determination metho...

We have used self-assembled purines and pyrimidines on planar gold surfaces and on gold-coated atomic force microscope (AFM) tips to directly probe intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and thermal programmed desorption (TPD) measurements of the molecular layers suggested monolayer coverage and a desorption energy of about 25 kcal/mol. Experiments wer...

Quantitative analysis of cellular interactions with the extracellular environment is necessary to gain an understanding of how cells regulate adhesion in the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms, and how changes in cell adhesion contribute to diseases. We provide a practical guide to quantify the adhesive strength of living animal cells to various substrates using atomic force...

A combined scanning electrochemical-atomic force microscope (SECM-AFM) has been used to probe the diffusional transport of target electroactive solutes in isolated nanopores of a track-etched membrane. A polycarbonate membrane (100-nm-diam pore size) hydrated with an electrolyte solution, containing a redox-active probe molecule, such as IrCl6(3-) or Fe(phen)3(2+), functions as the model membra...

We report on atomic force microscopy (AFM) and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) investigations of single crystals of the spin crossover complex {Fe(pyrazine)[Pt(CN)4]} across the first-order thermal spin transition. We demonstrate for the first time that the change in spin state can be probed with sub-micrometer spatial resolution through various topographic features extracted from...

Transient forces between nanoscale objects on surfaces govern friction, viscous flow, and plastic deformation, occur during manipulation of matter, or mediate the local wetting behavior of thin films. To resolve transient forces on the (sub) microsecond time and nanometer length scale, dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers largely unexploited potential. Full spectral analysis of the AFM ...

A comparative study of immature and mature bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) was first performed through an atomic force microscope (AFM) to clarify differences of their nanostructure and adhesion force. AFM images revealed that the immature BMDCs treated by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor plus IL-4 mainly appeared round with smooth surface, whereas the mature BMDCs i...