Dynamic force spectroscopy probes the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of single molecules and molecular assemblies. Here, we propose a simple procedure to extract kinetic information from such experiments. The cornerstone of our method is a transformation of the rupture-force histograms obtained at different force-loading rates into the force-dependent lifetimes measurable in constant-forc...

Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) makes it possible to investigate specific interactions between two molecules such as ligand-receptor pairs at the single-molecule level. In the DFS method based on the Bell-Evans model, the unbinding force applied to a molecular bond is increased at a constant rate, and the force required to rupture the molecular bond is measured. By analyzing the relationship b...

Based on the cutting force theory, the cutting stress in end milling operation was predicted satisfactorily through simulation of using finite element method. The mechanistic force models were introduced in high accuracy force predictions for most applications. The material properties in the simulations were defined based on the cutting force theory, as a function of strain and strain rate wher...

Formation of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex provides mechanical thrust for membrane fusion, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Here using magnetic tweezers, we observe mechanical responses of a single neuronal SNARE complex under constant pulling force. Single SNARE complexes may be unzipped with 34 pN force. When rezipping i...

Photothermal cantilever excitation provides a fast and easy to implement means to control the deflection of standard atomic force microscopy cantilevers. Minute heat pulses yield deflections on the order of several tens of nanometers or when the deflection is kept constant, forces of several hundreds of piconewton can be applied. In our case these pulses resulted in less than 1 K temperature ch...

Containing most of the L-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on their tips, microvilli are believed to promote the initial arrest of neutrophils on endothelium. At the rolling stage following arrest, the lifetimes of the involved molecular bonds depend on the pulling force imposed by the shear stress of blood flow. With two different methods, electron microscopy and micropipe...