Infrared nano-spectroscopy of ferroelastic domain walls in hybrid...Tue Mar 03 2020

Published new post (Infrared nano-spectroscopy of ferroelastic domain walls in hybrid improper ferroelectric Ca3Ti2O7) on NANOSENSORS Blog Ferroic materials are well known to exhibit heterogeneity in the form of domain walls. Understanding the properties of these boundaries is crucial for controlling functionality with external stimuli and for realizing their potential for ultra-low power memory and logic devices as well as novel computing architectures.* In the article “Infrared nano-spectroscopy of ferroelastic domain walls in hybrid improper ferroelectric Ca3Ti2O7” K. A. Smith, E. A. Nowadnick, S. Fan, O. Khatib, S. J. Lim, B. Gao, N. C. Harms, S. N. Neal, J. K. Kirkland, M. C. Martin, C. J. Won, M. B. Raschke, S.-W. Cheong, C. J. Fennie, G. L. Carr, H. A. Bechtel and J. L. Musfeldt employ synchrotron-based near-field infrared nano-spectroscopy to reveal the vibrational properties of ferroelastic (90∘ ferroelectric) domain walls in the hybrid improper ferroelectric Ca3Ti2O7 . By locally mapping the Ti-O stretching and Ti-O-Ti bending modes, they reveal how structural order parameters rotate across a wall. Thus, they link observed near-field amplitude changes to underlying structural modulations and test ferroelectric switching models against real space measurements of local structure. This initiative opens the door to broadband infrared nano-imaging of heterogeneity in ferroics.* NANOSENSORS™ Platinum Silicide PtSi-NCH AFM probes were used for the Near-field infrared spectroscopy. Atomic force and piezoforce imaging reveal the different orientations of directional order parameters and domain wall character, providing a physical playground for graph theory. * https://www.nanosensors.com/platinum-silicide-non-contact-t… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #multiferroics #PiezoresponseForceMicroscopy #AFM

Graphene Quantum Dots as Nanozymes for Electrochemical Sensing of...Thu Feb 27 2020

New post - Graphene Quantum Dots as Nanozymes for Electrochemical Sensing of Yersinia enterocolitica in Milk and Human Serum (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/graphene-quantum-dots-as-nanoz…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Yersinia enterocolitica is a gram-negative bacillus shaped bacterium that leads to a zootonic disease called yersiniosis. The infection is demonstrated as mesenteric adenitis, acute diarrhea, terminal ileitis, and pseudoappendicitis. Rarely, it can even result in sepsis. According to the 2017 report of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Y. enterocolitica has been realized as the third most common foodborne-zoonotic disease after campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis in the European Union.* Several studies suggested that #pathogendetection #GrapheneQuantumDots #immunosensor #AtomicForceMicroscopy

New PostFri Feb 21 2020

nanotools is attending the SPIE Advanced Lithography in California. The technical program of the primary global #lithography event will focus on works in #opticallithography, #metrology, and #EUV. If you would like to meet with nanotools in San Jose then please click on the contact link in the nanotools blog https://www.nanotools.com/…/connecting-with-partners-and-pe… #AtomicForceMicroscopy #nanoscience #AFMprobes #ScanningProbeMicroscopy

BPS 2020 San Diego NanoAndMore booth 818 Thank you and so longThu Feb 20 2020

Thank you all for visiting our booth at the 2020 San Diego Biophysical Society Meeting this week. We hope you have a safe trip home and are looking forward to meeting you again soon https://youtu.be/Q2ubyg6KiOc #bps2020 #biophysics #biomaterials #AFMprobes

New PostTue Feb 18 2020

It’s the last day @BiophysicalSoc Meeting 2020 exhibit in San Diego and it’s the last chance to visit @NanoAndMore USA booth no. 818 from 10 am – 4 p.m. to pick up your free sample of NANOSENSORS™ uniqprobe qp-BioT #AFMprobes and to find out about all the other kinds of #AFMtips that NanoAndMore USA offers for #AtomicForceMicroscopy applications in #biology, #biophysics, #molecularbiology, #lifesciences etc. etc. … https://www.nanoandmore.com/Life-Science-Biological-Soft-Co… We’re looking forward to welcoming you! #bps2020

Size‐Independent Transmembrane Transporting of Single Tetrahedral...Tue Feb 18 2020

Published new post (Size‐Independent Transmembrane Transporting of Single Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures) on NANOSENSORS Blog Targeted drug delivery and precision medicine have now become a new paradigm in cancer therapy, with nanocarriers, pharmacologically active drugs could be directly delivered into target cancer cells to manage or reverse the course of disease. Nevertheless, the recent critical issue for drug delivery systems is lack of efficient drug delivery carriers.* DNA nanostructures have attracted considerable attention as drug delivery carriers. However, the transmembrane kinetics of DNA nanostructures remains less explored.* In the article “Size‐Independent Transmembrane Transporting of Single Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures” Xi Chen, Falin Tian, Min Li, Haijiao Xu, Mingjun Cai, Qian Li, Xiaolei Zuo, Hongda Wang, Xinghua Shi, Chunhai Fan, Huricha Baigude and Yuping Shan describe how they monitored the dynamic process of transporting single tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) monitored in real time using a force-tracing technique based on atomic force microscopy.* The authors used special NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-BSI AFM probes for the single-molecule force tracing. The NANOSENSORS PPP-BSI AFM tips were modified in two steps as described in their article: First they were washed by Piranha solution (V(H2SO4):V(H2O2) = 3:1) for 1 h, cleaned with ultrapure water twice and absolute ethylacohol once then the AFM tips were dried by argon gas, and cleaned under O3 for 30 min to remove other impurities. After cleaning, the AFM tips were modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane[17] to generate amino group, it was convenient for linking the heterobifunctional PEG (MAL-PEG2000-SCM, FW≈2000, SensoPathechnologies, Bozeman, MT 1 mg mL−1). After drying with argon, the tips were immersed in a mixture of 100 × 10−9m TDNs, 50 μL NH2OH-reagent (500 × 10−3m NH2OH•HCl, 25 × 10−3m EDTA, pH 7.5), and 50 μL buffer A (100 × 10−3m NaCl, 50 × 10−3m NaH2PO4, 1 × 10−3m EDTA, pH 7.5). After functionalization for 1 h, the AFM tips were washed with PBS for three times and stored at 4 °C .* Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article #forcetracing #AtomicForceMicroscopy #DNAnanostructures #bsp2020

Get your free NANOSENSORS Fun Grating at booth 818 at Biophysical...Mon Feb 17 2020

Published new post (Get your free NANOSENSORS Fun Grating at booth 818 at Biophysical Society Meeting 2020) on NANOSENSORS Blog This year NANOSENSORS™ celebrates its 30th anniversary. We are celebrating this with the whole #AFMcommunity by giving away NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings especially created for this occasion @BiophysicalSoc Meeting 2020 in San Diego at NanoAndMore USA booth no. 818 this week. Pick up your grating, switch on the AFM, start scanning, discover the images that are hidden in the grating and celebrate 30 years of NANOSENSORS high quality AFM probes with us. #singlecell #singlemoleculeresearch #singlemolecule #nanoscience #AFMcommunity #AtomicForceMicroscopy #bps20

We're at the Biophysical Society Meeting in San Diego this weekMon Feb 17 2020

New post - We're at the Biophysical Society Meeting in San Diego this week (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/were-at-the-biophysical-societ…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. We're at NanoAndMore USA booth no. 818 at the Biophysical Society Meeting in San Diego this week. Have you already visited us and found out what's up with the giant AFM probe at the booth? Finally we can exhibit something you can see with your bare eyes. Check out our big and even bigger AFM probe models at NanoAndMore USA booth no. 818 at the Biophysical Society exibit #bps20 #singlemoleculeresearch #biophysics #AFMprobes

New PostSun Feb 16 2020

The exhibit @BiophysicalSoc Meeting 2020 in San Diego will be open from 10 am today. Don't forget to visit @NanoAndMore USA booth no. 818 to pick up your free sample of NANOSENSORS uniqprobe qp-BioT #AFMprobes and find out what other surprises are planned for the 30th anniversary of NANOSENSORS and the 20th anniversary of NanoWorld https://www.nanosensors.com/uniqprobe-uniform-quality-conta… https://www.nanosensors.com/fungrating #bps2020 #bps #forcemicroscopy #biophysics #lifescience #molecularbiology

booth #818 Biophysical Society Annual Meeting 2020 San Diego NanoAndMoreSat Feb 15 2020

https://youtu.be/qhJaUJ2E3mQ We’re all set up and ready to welcome you @BiophysicalSoc Annual Meeting 2020 in San Diego! Don't forget to visit us and pick up your free sample of NANOSENSORS uniqprobe qp-BioT #AFMprobes at NanoAndMore USA booth #818 during the next three days.https://www.nanosensors.com/uniqprobe-uniform-quality-conta… We're looking forward to welcome you! #bps2020 #biomaterials #biophysics #molecularbiology

New PostThu Feb 13 2020

Researchers at KRISS applied nanotools CDR30-EBD #AFMprobes to study tip wear, repeatability and reproducibility of CD measurements. Find out more in the latest nanotools blogpost https://nanotools.com/…/four-axes-stage-for-low-noise-afm-c… #scanningprobemicroscopy #nanoscience #SPM #criticaldimension

New PostMon Feb 10 2020

A blast from the past – Atomic resolution of liquid-covered HOPG. Published in 1987! https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a182482.pdf #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbes

Optical manipulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis using...Mon Feb 10 2020

New post - Optical manipulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis using photoswitchable ceramides (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/optical-manipulation-of-sphing…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism that also function as potent messengers in stress signaling and apoptosis. Progress in understanding how ceramides execute their biological roles is hampered by a lack of methods to manipulate their cellular levels and metabolic fate with appropriate spatiotemporal precision.* In the article “Optical manipulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis using photoswitchable ceramides” Matthijs Kol, Ben Williams, Henry Toombs-Ruane, Henri G Franquelim, Sergei Korneev, Christian Schroeer, Petra Schwille, Dirk Trauner, Joost CM Holthuis and James A Frank report on clickable, azobenzene-containing ceramides, caCers, as photoswitchable metabolic substrates to exert optical control over sphingolipid production in cells.* They combine atomic force microscopy on model bilayers with metabolic tracing studies in cells, and demonstrate that light-induced alterations in the lateral packing of caCers lead to marked differences in their metabolic conversion by sphingomyelin synthase and glucosylceramide synthase. These changes in metabolic rates are instant and reversible over several cycles of photoswitching. The findings described in the article disclose new opportunities to probe the causal roles of ceramides and their metabolic derivatives in a wide array of sphingolipid-dependent cellular processes with the spatiotemporal precision of light.* The High-speed AFM in AC mode described in the article was done with NanoWorld Ultra-Short Cantilevers USC-F0.3-k0.3 with a typical stiffness of 0.3 N/m. The AFM cantilever oscillation was tuned to a frequency of 100–150 kHz and the amplitude kept below 10 nm. The scan rate was set to 25–150 Hz. Images were acquired at 256 × 256 pixel resolution. All measurements were performed at room temperature. The force applied on the sample was minimized by continuously adjusting the set point and gain during imaging. Height, error, deflection and phase-shift signals were recorded and images were line-fitted as required.* https://www.nanoworld.com/Ultra-Short-Cantilevers-USC-F0.3-… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #CellBiology #sphingosine #BioactiveLipids #AFMprobes #HighSpeedAtomicForceMicroscopy

New PostMon Feb 03 2020

Today is the last day at the Linz Winter Workshop https://spm20.eu/…/xxii-annual-linz-winter-workshop-2020-l…/ Don't miss the chance to visit us and to find out about the many different kinds of #AFMprobes @NanoAndMore offers for #HighSpeedAtomicForceMicroscopy https://www.nanoandmore.com/Ultra-High-Frequency-AFM-Probes and biological applications https://www.nanoandmore.com/Life-Science-Biological-Soft-Co… #LinzWinterWorkshop #hsafm #biophysics #atomicforcemicroscopy #videorateafm

3D Superparamagnetic Scaffolds for Bone Mineralization under...Mon Feb 03 2020

Published new post (3D Superparamagnetic Scaffolds for Bone Mineralization under Static Magnetic Field Stimulation) on NANOSENSORS Blog Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue, preceded only by blood transfusion.Within this context, it is imperative to achieve the functional and structural restoration of damaged bone tissue. A major difficulty in bone tissue engineering arises from the fact that the bone regeneration process requires a long time for achieving a completely functional tissue. Generally, cells are seeded ex vivo into a three-dimensional (3D) biocompatible and sometimes biodegradable structure called scaffold, where they attach and grow. After the implantation into the injured site, the scaffolds should allow proper host cell colonization for regeneration purposes.* Magnetic scaffolds emerged as promising solution for this purpose. Activation of the magnetic scaffolds using external static magnetic fields (SMF) prevents the decrease of bone mineral density and promotes the bone regeneration in bone fractures. The significant alterations in cell behaviors stimulated by the externally applied magnetic fields has been demonstrated in numerous studies. For example, it has been shown that an externally applied SMF using a magnet accelerates the osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts-like cells in vitro and triggers peri-implant bone formation in vivo.* The magnetism can also be used through scaffolding materials with magnetic properties. For example, biomaterials that incorporate magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are being developed.* In the article «3D Superparamagnetic Scaffolds for Bone Mineralization under Static Magnetic Field Stimulation” Irina Alexandra Paun, Bogdan Stefanita Calin, Cosmin Catalin Mustaciosu, Mona Mihailescu, Antoniu Moldovan, Ovidiu Crisan, Aurel Leca and Catalin Romeo Luculescu report on three-dimensional (3D) superparamagnetic scaffolds that enhanced the mineralization of magnetic nanoparticle-free osteoblast cells. The scaffolds were fabricated with submicronic resolution by laser direct writing via two photons polymerization of Ormocore/magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) composites and possessed complex and reproducible architectures.* To prove the magnetic nature of the MNPs in the polymerized composites, magnetic force microscopy (MFM) was carried out on scaffolds with different MNPs concentrations. NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-MFMR AFM probes with magnetic coating were used.* https://www.nanosensors.com/pointprobe-plus-magnetic-force-… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ExtracellularMatrixMineralization #MFM #SuperparamagneticScaffold #AFMprobes

The free energy landscape of retroviral integrationTue Jan 28 2020

New post - The free energy landscape of retroviral integration (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/the-free-energy-landscape-of-r…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Retroviral integration, the process of covalently inserting viral DNA into the host genome, is a point of no return in the replication cycle. Yet, strand transfer is intrinsically iso-energetic and it is not clear how efficient integration can be achieved.* In the article “The free energy landscape of retroviral integration” published in Nature Communications Willem Vanderlinden, Tine Brouns, Philipp U. Walker, Pauline J. Kolbeck, Lukas F. Milles, Wolfgang Ott, Philipp C. Nickels, Zeger Debyser and Jan Lipfert use biochemical assays, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and multiplexed single-molecule magnetic tweezers (MT) to study tetrameric prototype foamy virus (PFV) strand-transfer dynamics.* Their finding that PFV intasomes employ auxiliary-binding sites for modulating the barriers to integration raises the question how the topology of higher-order intasomes governs integration of pathogenic retroviruses, most notably HIV. The single-molecule assays developed in this work are expected to be particularly useful to further unravel the complexity of this important class of molecular machines.* The AFM images were recorded in amplitude modulation mode under ambient conditions and by using NanoWorld high resolution SuperSharpSilicon™ SSS-NCH cantilevers ( resonance frequency ≈300 kHz; typical end-radius 2 nm; half-cone angle <10 deg). Typical scans were recorded at 1–3 Hz line frequency, with optimized feedback parameters and at 512 × 512 pixels.* https://www.nanoworld.com/pointprobe-super-sharp-silicon-ta… https://youtu.be/qcS-d6qJFrQ Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #EnzymeMechanisms #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMプローブ #走査型走

Happy New Lunar YearFri Jan 24 2020

New post - Happy New Lunar Year (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/happy-new-lunar-year-5/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. We wish everyone a good start into the new lunar year of the rat. (Not only the lab rats!) The lab rat is expecting great research results this lunar year. #ChineseNewYear2020 #yearofmouse2020 #ねずみ年 #恭喜发财 #AtomicForceMicroscopy

Happy New Lunar Year!Thu Jan 23 2020

Published new post (Happy New Lunar Year!) on NANOSENSORS Blog We wish everyone a good start into the year of the rat! NANOSENSORS wishes you all a happy and successful year of the rat #LunarNewYear2020 #yearofmouse #ねずみ年 #鼠年 #AFMプローブ #AFM

New PostWed Jan 22 2020

We are thrilled to present our brand new BudgetSensors KPFM & EFM Sample! With this artifact you can verify and calibrate your KPFM or EFM setup on well-defined structures made of pure well-known materials before you move on to your unknown and challenging specimen. Learn more here: https://www.budgetsensors.com/KPFM-and-EFM-sample #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbes #Calibration #EFM #KPFM

Kelvin probe force microscopy work function characterization of...Sun Jan 19 2020

Published new post (Kelvin probe force microscopy work function characterization of transition metal oxide crystals under ongoing reduction and oxidation) on NANOSENSORS Blog Controlling the work function of transition metal oxides is of key importance with regard to future energy production and storage. As the majority of applications involve the use of heterostructures, the most suitable characterization technique is Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), which provides excellent energetic and lateral resolution.* In their study “Kelvin probe force microscopy work function characterization of transition metal oxide crystals under ongoing reduction and oxidation» Dominik Wrana, Karol Cieślik, Wojciech Belza, Christian Rodenbücher, Krzysztof Szot and Franciszek Krok present the advantages and limitations of the FM-KPFM technique using the example of a newly discovered TiO/SrTiO3(100) (metal/insulator) heterostructure, which has potentially high technological relevance.* In the same article a combined conductivity and work function study from the same surface area is presented, showing the possibility of obtaining full information on the electronic properties when the KPFM technique is accompanied by local conductivity atomic force microscopy (LC-AFM).* The authos present the measurement of the crystalline TiO work function and its dependence on the gaseous pressure of air using Kelvin probe force microscopy. In order to ensure reproducible FM-KPFM results, two different types of AFM cantilevers were used: NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-ContPt (PtIr-coated) https://www.nanosensors.com/pointprobe-plus-contact-mode-pt… and NANOSENSORS™ Platinum Silicide PtSi-FM.* https://www.nanosensors.com/platinum-silicide-force-modulat… Such cantilevers are widely used as conducting tips in a contact mode AFM, allowing for a high lateral resolution in conductivity measurements. The remarkable mechanical stability of the selected cantilevers allowed for the noncontact mode measurements (with a Kelvin loop) using the very same tip, maintaining oscillations at the higher harmonics of the fundamental frequency (≈75 kHz). Hence, in order to record current and CPD maps from the very same sample area, KPFM measurements were first performed with the soft cantilever forced to oscillate at higher harmonics, then the tip was retracted tens of nanometers from the surface, all feedback loops were turned down and a contact mode AFM scan was performed when approached with a single loop maintaining a deflection set point of 10–30 mV. The high conductivity of both TiO and STO materials enabled a low sample bias of +1 mV for the LC-AFM measurements to be used.* Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #KPFM #ScanningKelvinProbeMicroscopy #SrTiO3 #原子間力顕微鏡 #AFMプローブ

More papers on High Speed Atomic Force Microscopy – list of...Tue Jan 14 2020

New post - More papers on High Speed Atomic Force Microscopy – list of references updated (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/more-papers-on-high-speed-atom…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. We have updated our list of articles in the field of High-Speed AFM (HS-AFM) on the www.highspeedscanning.com website. If you would like to see what has been going on recently in the field of High-Speed AFM (HS-AFM) then you are welcome to have a look at: http://www.highspeedscanning.com/hs-afm-references.html We are aware that this list is far from complete so if you have used one of our Ultra-Short Cantilevers (USC) for high speed atomic force microscopy in the research for your publication and your article isn’t listed yet then please let us know. We will be happy to add it to the list. #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #UltrafastScanning #highspeedAFM #molecularbiology #lifescience

Real time dynamics of Gating-Related conformational changes in CorAMon Jan 13 2020

New post - Real time dynamics of Gating-Related conformational changes in CorA (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/real-time-dynamics-of-gating-r…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Magnesium (Mg2+) is a key divalent cation in biology. It regulates and maintains numerous, physiological functions such as nucleic acid stability, muscle contraction, heart rate and vascular tone, neurotransmitter release, and serves as cofactor in a myriad of enzymatic reactions. Most importantly, it coordinates with ATP, and is thus crucial for energy production in mitochondria.* In order to store Mg2+ in the mitochondrial lumen it is imported via Mrs2 and Alr2 ion channels that are closely related to CorA, the main Mg2+-importer in bacteria. Although these Mg2+-transport proteins do not show much sequence conservation, they all share two trans-membrane domains (TMDs) with the signature motif Glycine-Methionine-Asparagine (GMN) at the extracellular loop.* CorA, a divalent-selective channel in the metal ion transport superfamily, is the major Mg2+-influx pathway in prokaryotes. CorA structures in closed (Mg2+-bound), and open (Mg2+-free) states, together with functional data showed that Mg2+-influx inhibits further Mg2+-uptake completing a regulatory feedback loop. While the closed state structure is a symmetric pentamer, the open state displayed unexpected asymmetric architectures.* In the article “Real time dynamics of Gating-Related conformational changes in CorA” Martina Rangl, Nicolaus Schmandt, Eduardo Perozo and Simon Scheuring used high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM), to explore the Mg2+-dependent gating transition of single CorA channels: HS-AFM movies during Mg2+-depletion experiments revealed the channel’s transition from a stable Mg2+-bound state over a highly mobile and dynamic state with fluctuating subunits to asymmetric structures with varying degree of protrusion heights from the membrane.* Their data shows that at Mg2+-concentration below Kd, CorA adopts a dynamic (putatively open) state of multiple conformations that imply structural rearrangements through hinge-bending in TM1. They also discuss how these structural dynamics define the functional behavior of this ligand-dependent channel.* All Atomic Force Microscopy experiments described in the article were performed using NanoWorld Ultra-Short Cantilevers USC-F1.2-k0.15 for high-speed Atomic Force Microscopy ( HS-AFM ). Videos of CorA membranes were recorded with imaging rates of ~1–2 frames s−1 and at a resolution of 0.5 nm pixel−1. https://www.nanoworld.com/Ultra-Short-Cantilevers-USC-F1.2-… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #molecularbiology #videorateAFM #AtomicForceMicroscopy

New PostThu Jan 09 2020

Discover new worlds at the nanoscale with MikroMasch® AFM Probes! Get our new 2020 free poster here: https://www.spmtips.com/MikroMasch-AFM-Tips-Poster-2020 #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbe

On-chip integration of single solid-state quantum emitters with a...Wed Jan 08 2020

Published new post (On-chip integration of single solid-state quantum emitters with a SiO2 photonic platform) on NANOSENSORS Blog One important building block for future integrated nanophotonic devices is the scalable on-chip interfacing of single photon emitters and quantum memories with single optical modes.* In the article “On-chip integration of single solid-state quantum emitters with a SiO2 photonic platform” Florian Böhm, Niko Nikolay, Christoph Pyrlik, Jan Schlegel, Andreas Thies, Andreas Wicht,Günther Tränkle and Oliver Benson present the deterministic integration of a single solid-state qubit, the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center, with a photonic platform consisting exclusively of SiO2grown thermally on a Si substrate.* The platform stands out by its ultra-low fluorescence and the ability to produce various passive structures such as high-Q micro resonators and mode-size converters. By numerical analysis an optimal structure for the efficient coupling of a dipole emitter to the guided mode could be determined. Experimentally, the integration of a preselected NV emitter was performed with an atomic force microscope and the on-chip excitation of the quantum emitter as well as the coupling of single photons to the guided mode of the integrated structure could be demonstrated. The authors approach shows the potential of this platform as a robust nanoscale interface of on-chip photonic structures with solid-state qubits.* After optically verifying the successful placement of the nanodiamond hosting a single nitrogen-vacancy ( NV ) center by performing a confocal scan, the article describes how the nanoparticle is pushed to the inner edge of the rib waveguide in a subsequent step, using a NANOSENSORS™ AdvancedTEC™ ATEC-NC tip-view AFM probe.* https://www.nanosensors.com/advanced-tip-at-the-end-of-the-… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AFMプローブ #AtomicForceMicroscopy #走査型走査型プローブ顕微鏡

Happy and Prosperous 2020 from the nanotools TeamWed Jan 08 2020

New PostMon Dec 30 2019

Even Santa finds time for fun. Enjoy the holiday season! Have fun! All the best to you in 2020! #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbes #donotdrinkanddrive

Season's Greetings from the whole NanoWorld team!Mon Dec 23 2019

New post - Season’s Greetings from the whole NanoWorld team! (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/seasons-greetings-from-the-who…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. The whole team at NanoWorld AFM probes wishes you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! #HappyHolidays #AFMprobes #SeasonsGreetings2019 #nanoscience #AFMプローブ

New PostMon Dec 23 2019

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you again in January! Merry Christmas and happy 2020! #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbes #MerryChristmas

Season's Greetings from NANOSENSORS AFM probesFri Dec 20 2019

Published new post (Season’s Greetings from NANOSENSORS AFM probes) on NANOSENSORS Blog The first reindeer have been spotted! This is a sure sign that it is again time to wish all users of our AFM probes Happy Holidays! We are looking forward to another year with you. First reindeer spotted in the foggy park! Enjoy the holiday season! #christmasseason #AtomicForceMicroscopy #SPMプローブ

Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays...Mon Dec 16 2019

New post - Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays with intrinsic and extrinsic defects (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/magnetic-reversal-in-perpendic…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Defects can significantly affect performance of nanopatterned magnetic devices, therefore their influence on the material properties has to be understood well before the material is used in technological applications. However, this is experimentally challenging due to the inability of the control of defect characteristics in a reproducible manner.* In “Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays with intrinsic and extrinsic defects» Michal Krupinski, Pawel Sobieszczyk, Piotr Zieliński and Marta Marszałek construct a micromagnetic model, which accounts for intrinsic and extrinsic defects associated with the polycrystalline nature of the material and with corrugated edges of nanostructures.* The findings described in their article show that magnetic properties and domain configuration in nanopatterned systems are strongly determined by the defects, the heterogeneity of the nanostructure sizes and edge corrugations, and that such imperfections play a key role in the processes of magnetic reversal.* The magnetic imaging described in the article cited above was performed using NanoWorld MFMR AFM probes for magnetic force microscopy (MFMR). https://www.nanoworld.com/pointprobe-magnetic-force-microsc… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ferromagnetism #MagneticProperties #AtomicForceMicroscopy

Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at...Wed Dec 11 2019

Published new post (Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at the hexadecane-steel interface) on NANOSENSORS Blog Carbon-based layers play an important role in boundary lubrication, from graphite as commercial solid lubricant in a spray can over diamond-like carbon coatings in automotive industries all the way to graphitic layers found in metal-metal hip implants. With increasing availability of graphene, the two-dimensional building block of graphite, its possible role in lubrication is being explored. * After the discovery of friction and wear reduction on steel surfaces by graphene in a variety of environments, graphene is now emerging as new lubricant. Polymer composites with graphene exhibit improved tribological properties due to wear reduction by efficient transfer layers. The composite approach has been successfully extended to multilayers of polymer and graphene. The use of graphene as additive in formulated lubricant oils is also promising after functionalization to improve solubility. * In their letter “Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at the hexadecane-steel interface” G. Krämer, C. Kim, K-S. Kim and R. Bennewitz report experimental results for fundamental lubrication properties of the interface between a hexadecane model lubricant and a steel surface modified by a single layer graphene. Using high-resolution force microscopy, they quantify that the reduction of friction on graphene is connected to an ordered layer of adsorbed hexadecane molecules and that the graphene induces an ordering in molecular layers in the confined liquid above graphene patches. * A single layer of graphene on steel surfaces causes a change in the near-surface structure of the model lubricant hexadecane. Hexadecane adsorbs in an ordered layer aligned straight molecules, and this layer is stable under scanning in contact with the tip of an atomic force microscope, while no such layer is observed on the steel substrate. Graphene and hexadecane layer reduce friction at the nanoscale by a factor of three compared to the bare steel in hexadecane. * All AFM measurements described in this letter were performed using a NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-CONTR AFM probe at room temperature with a home-built fluid cell where the cantilever was fully immersed in hexadecane.* https://www.nanosensors.com/pointprobe-plus-contact-mode-af… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #graphene #hexadecane #polymers #lubricants #AFM

Flexible Robust and High‐Density FeRAM from Array of Organic...Tue Dec 10 2019

New post - Flexible Robust and High‐Density FeRAM from Array of Organic Ferroelectric Nano‐Lamellae by Self‐Assembly (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/flexible-robust-and-high%e2%80…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Ferroelectric memories are endowed with high data storage density by nanostructure designing, while the robustness is also impaired. For organic ferroelectrics favored by flexible memories, low Curie transition temperature limits their thermal stability.* In their article “Flexible Robust and High‐Density FeRAM from Array of Organic Ferroelectric Nano‐Lamellae by Self‐Assembly “ Mengfan Guo, Jianyong Jiang, Jianfeng Qian, Chen Liu, Jing Ma, Ce‐Wen Nan and Yang Shen demonstrate that a ferroelectric random access memory ( FeRAM ) with high thermal stability and data storage density of ≈60 GB inch−2 could be achieved from an array of edge‐on nano‐lamellae by low‐temperature self‐assembly of P(VDF‐TrFE).* The self‐assembled P(VDF‐TrFE) described in the article exhibits high storage density of 60 GB inch−2 as a prototype of flexible FeRAM. The authors experimentally determine the self‐assembled FeRAM stored data more robustly, with temperature endurance enhanced over 10 °C and reliable thermal cycling ability. The article shows a novel path to address the thermal stability issues in organic FeRAMs and presents a detailed analysis about the origin of enhanced performance in aligned P(VDF‐TrFE). * NanoWorld Arrow-CONTPt AFM probes with a conducting Pt/Ir coating were used for the Piezoresponse Force Microscopy ( PFM ) measurements described in this article.https://www.nanoworld.com/contact-mode-platinum-coated-afm-… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ferroelectrics #polymers #materialsresearch #AFMprobes

New PostFri Dec 06 2019

Thank you all for visiting our @NanoAndMore USA booth 612 @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019. Have a safe trip home and see you next year! #F19MRS #AFM #atomicforcemicroscopy #AFMprobes #materialsresearch #materialsscience #MRS

New PostThu Dec 05 2019

Last chance to secure your free NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings and free NanoWorld Arrow-NCR #AFMprobes sample today from 10:00 am—1:30 pm @NanoAndMore USA booth no. 612 @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019 #atomicforcemicroscopy #F19MRS #materialsscience

Get your free NANOSENSORS Fun Grating at booth 612 at MRS Fall 2019Wed Dec 04 2019

Published new post (Get your free NANOSENSORS Fun Grating at booth 612 at MRS Fall 2019) on NANOSENSORS Blog Next year NANOSENSORS™ will celebrate its 30th anniversary. We are starting off the celebrations by giving away NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings especially created for this occasion at NanoAndMore USA booth no. 612 @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019 this week. https://www.nanosensors.com/fungrating Pick up your grating, switch on the AFM, start scanning, discover the images that are hidden in the grating and celebrate 30 years of NANOSENSORS high quality AFM probes with us. Pick up NANOSENSORS Fun Gratings at NanoAndMore USA booth #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #AFM #nanotechnology

New PostWed Dec 04 2019

New post - Get 5 FREE NanoWorld™ Arrow-NCR AFM probes at booth 612 MRS Fall Exhibit (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/get-5-free-nanoworld-arrow-ncr…/ )has been published on NanoWorld Blog. It’s the second day @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019. We’re giving away free samples of NanoWorld Arrow-NCR AFM probes https://www.nanoworld.com/tapping-mode-reflex-coated-afm-ti… in celebration of our 20th anniversary next year. Visit NanoAndMore USA booth #612 to pick up your free sample and find out what more we have planned for our anniversary year. pick up your free Arrow-NCR AFM probe sample at NanoAndMore USA booth 612 at MRS Fall 2019 and find out what's up with the big AFM probe model on top of the booth #materialsresearch #atomicforcemicroscopy #AFM #nanotechnology

New PostTue Dec 03 2019

The MRS Fall 2019 exhibit will be open today from 11 am. Don't forget to visit NanoAndMore USA booth #612 to pick up your free sample of NanoWorld Arrow-NCR #AFmprobes https://www.nanoworld.com/tapping-mode-reflex-coated-afm-ti… and find out what other surprises are planned for the upcoming 20th anniversary of NanoWorld and the approaching 30th anniversary of NANOSENSORS. #F19MRS #AFM #atomicforcemicroscopy #materialsresearch #materialsscience

New PostMon Dec 02 2019

We’re all set up and ready to welcome you @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019 in Boston! Don't forget to visit us and pick up your free sample of NanoWorld Arrow-NCR AFM probes at NanoAndMore USA booth #612 https://www.nanoworld.com/tapping-mode-reflex-coated-afm-ti… #F19MRS #AFM #atomicforcemicroscopy #AFMprobes #materialsresearch #materialsscience

New PostMon Dec 02 2019

We are often asked whether our ElectriCont-G probes are suitable for Conductive AFM. These probes are not designed for C-AFM, although many of our customers use them as a cost-effective alternative to the much more durable conductive diamond coated probes such as the AIO-DD. The two current images show that C-AFM measurements are possible but hard to achieve. Fine-tuning of scan parameters is required to make the platinum coating on the apex last. AFM measurements courtesy of the Institute for Semiconductor Technology and Nanoelectronics, Darmstadt University of Technology. #AFMProbes #AtomicForceMicroscopy

New PostMon Nov 25 2019

cdS quantum dots-based immunoassay combined with particle...Mon Nov 25 2019

Published new post (cdS quantum dots-based immunoassay combined with particle imprinted polymer technology and laser ablation icp-MS as a versatile tool for protein detection) on NANOSENSORS Blog The molecularly imprinted polymer ( MIP ) technology is currently experiencing a rapid development due to the limitations of natural recognition elements such antibodies or aptamers.* However, neither MIP strategies are limitless. Therefore, the combination of these powerful tools in a specific immunoassay may bring highly selective approach.* In their article “cdS quantum dots-based immunoassay combined with particle imprinted polymer technology and laser ablation icp-MS as a versatile tool for protein detection” Tereza Vaneckova, Jaroslava Bezdekova, Michaela Tvrdonova, Marcela Vlcnovska, Veronika Novotna, Jan Neuman, Aneta Stossova, Viktor Kanicky, Vojtech Adam, Marketa Vaculovicova and Tomas Vaculovic introduce a MIP-based pseudo-immunoassay using NP-labelled antibody recognition and couple it with the sensitive detection technique laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ( LA-ICP-MS ).* Two approaches of specific recognition were tested. The first one was based on the immunolabelling of the analyte captured by the MIP layer. The second approach involved immunolabelling of the analyte as a first step and the resulting QD-AB-AG complex was captured by MIP and further analyzed. The double-selective approach comprising of the specific immunolabelling reaction combined with isolation by MIP together with the LA-ICP-MS detection represents a viable approach of the IgG detection from a complex sample (LOD 4.2 μg and 1.6 μg, respectively) available for many exciting applications. Considering the overall time of the LA-ICP-MS analysis not exceeding 23 s (scan speed of 2000 μm/s), LA-ICP-MS is a promising technology to be used in future in conjunction with MIP technology.* The sample surface was analyzed using SEM with integrated AFM. Correlative Probe and Electron Microscopy (CPEM)48 was used for the surface analysis allowing simultaneous acquisition of SEM and AFM images at the same place in the same coordinate system. The SEM contrast is sensitive to the sample composition, while the AFM provides real surface topography. The accelerating voltage of 5 kV, beam current of 13 pA and SE detector was used for SEM imaging.* NANOSENSORS self-sensing self-actuating Akiyama probes in tapping mode were used for the AFM measurement. https://www.akiyamaprobe.com/ Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article.#immunochemistry #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM

What are NANOSENSORS Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors (MSS) for R&D in gas/odor sensing?Thu Nov 21 2019

The video on NANOSENSORS™ Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors (MSS) for olfactory sensing has just passed the 1000 views mark. Thank you all for watching. https://youtu.be/JP_VoLrGVXs The NANOSENSORS Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensor – MSS is a non-packaged MEMS sensor, a silicon membrane platform supported with four beams on which piezoresistors are embedded. It is mainly dedicated to R&D in the areas of olfactory sensing and electronic noses. There are currently two major applications for this type of sensor: the MSS has a great potential as a core component for electronic (artificial) nose systems / olfactory sensing systems utilized in e.g., medical, food, environment, safety and security fields. the MSS can also be used for assessment of various materials like organic conductors, magnetic and superconductor materials in torque magnetometry. To find out more please have a look at the video or at the NANOSENSORS™ MSS webpage. https://www.mss-sensor.com/ https://www.nanosensors.com/…/video-on-nanosensors-membran…/ #MSS #ENose #OlfactorySystem

Electrodeposition of 4-Benzenesulfonic Acid onto a Graphite-Epoxy...Tue Nov 19 2019

Caffeine is widely present in food and drinks, such as teas and coffees, being also part of some currently commercialized medicines, but despite its enhancement on several functions of human body, its exceeding use can promote many health problems.* The paper... #AFMcantilever #AFMProbes #AFMTips

Cellulose carbamate derived cellulose thin films: preparation...Mon Nov 18 2019

New post - Cellulose carbamate derived cellulose thin films: preparation, characterization and blending with cellulose xanthate (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/cellulose-carbamate-derived-ce…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Despite being rather old, the Viscose process still is the most important and frequently used technology for the production of regenerated wood based fibers with annual production volumes exceeding 3.5 million tons, mainly for the textile industry.* However, there are several environmental drawbacks of this technology. For instance, the necessity to use CS2 to form the cellulose precursor material (cellulose xanthate, CX), as well as the development of volatile sulfur containing compounds (e.g. H2S, COS) during the regeneration procedure requires complex recovery technologies, which manifest into higher prices of the final fiber products.* Another technology that has raised attention in recent years is the Carbacell process. The Carbacell process relies on cellulose carbamate (CC), which is easily obtained by reacting cellulose with urea. CC is soluble in cold alkali and can be subjected to wet spinning processes similar to those in viscose plants.* In their article: “Cellulose carbamate derived cellulose thin films: preparation, characterization and blending with cellulose xanthate” Michael Weißl, Mathias Andreas Hobisch, Leena Sisko Johansson, Kay Hettrich, Eero Kontturi, Bert Volkert and Stefan Spirk introduce a new system for manufacturing cellulose thin films based on ecofriendly CC. * Since CC is water soluble, the use of organic solvents is omitted compared to the other often employed cellulose derivative, TMSC. In addition, CC can be synthesized in large scale via environmentally friendly procedures. The regeneration process itself does not require any additional treatment but is induced by increasing the NaOH concentration during the spin-coating via evaporation of the water, as confirmed by IR and XPS spectroscopy.* Atomic Force Microscopy in tapping mode using a NanoWorld Arrow-NCR AFM probe was employed to gain further information about the surface morphology and structure of the CC films. https://www.nanoworld.com/tapping-mode-reflex-coated-afm-ti… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and for a direct link to the full scientific article. #Cellulose #ThinFilm #AFM

Tip wear and tip breakage in high-speed atomic force microscopesTue Nov 05 2019

High speed scanning (HSS) AFM tests with our ContDLC AFM probes at velocities up to 1mm/s demonstrate the high durability of our diamond-like carbon coated tips. Scanning hard surfaces with sharp, steep edges at ultrahigh scan rates increases the danger of sudden apex breakage due to sudden high lateral forces. So, please do not HSS our TipCheck! :) Learn more in this in-depth study published in the Ultramicroscopy journal. https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/artic…/pii/S0304399118301797 #AFMProbes #AtomicForceMicroscopy #HighSpeedScanning

Polymer interlayers on flexible PET substrates enabling ultra-high...Sun Nov 03 2019

Published new post (Polymer interlayers on flexible PET substrates enabling ultra-high performance, ITO-free dielectric/metal/dielectric transparent electrode) on NANOSENSORS Blog In their article “Polymer interlayers on flexible PET substrates enabling ultra-high performance, ITO-free dielectric/metal/dielectric transparent electrode” Lukas Kinner, Martin Bauch, Rachmat Adhi Wibowo, Giovanni Ligorio, Emil J.W.List-Kratochvil and Theodoros Dimopoulos reports on the fabrication and properties of a dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD) transparent electrode on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate with polymer interlayers.* The presented electrode has a large potential for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications, outperforming the widely-used indium-tin-oxide (ITO) on flexible substrates.* The sample surfaces were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode with NANOSENSORS™ SuperSharpSilicon™ high resolution SSS-NCHR AFM probes.* https://www.nanosensors.com/supersharpsilicon-non-contact-t… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM #optoelectronics

Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic...Tue Oct 29 2019

New post - Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/analysis-of-long-dsrna-produce…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Long double-stranded (ds) RNA is emerging as a novel alternative to chemical and genetically-modified insect and fungal management strategies. The ability to produce large quantities of dsRNA in either bacterial systems, by in vitro transcription, in cell-free systems or in planta for RNA interference applications has generated significant demand for the development and application of analytical tools for analysis of dsRNA.* In their article “Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC” Alison O. Nwokeoji, Sandip Kumar, Peter M. Kilby, David E. Portwood, Jamie K. Hobbs and Mark J. Dickman have utilised atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC) to provide novel insight into dsRNA for RNAi applications.* The AFM analysis enabled direct structural characterisation of the A-form duplex dsRNA and accurate determination of the dsRNA duplex length.* The work presented in this study demonstrates the ability of AFM in conjunction with IP RP HPLC to rapidly assess sample heterogeneity and provide important structural information regarding dsRNA.* For the high resolution images presented in Fig. 1(A, B) and 2(B) in the article NanoWorld Ultra-Short Cantilevers USC-F1.2-k0.15 with a High Density Carbon tip (nominal values: tip radius 10 nm, cantilever length 7 μm, stiffness 0.15 N m−1, resonant frequency 1200 kHz in air) were tuned to 600–650 kHz, oscillated at a free amplitude of <30 mV and scanned at a rate of 0.4–1.0 μm s−1,to visualize the dsRNA and dsDNA grooves.* https://www.nanoworld.com/Ultra-Short-Cantilevers-USC-F1.2-… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #biophysics #atomicforcemicroscopy #RNA

Amplitude Dependence of Resonance Frequency and its Consequences for Scanning Probe MicroscopyMon Oct 28 2019

Important work on amplitude dependence of resonance frequency in frequency modulation AFM by Peter Grütter’s research group at McGill University. Our OPUS 4XC-NN probes were used for testing. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/19/20/4510/htm #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbes

Visualizing the bidirectional optical transfer function for...Tue Oct 22 2019

Published new post (Visualizing the bidirectional optical transfer function for near-field enhancement in waveguide coupled plasmonic transducers) on NANOSENSORS Blog In their article “Visualizing the bidirectional optical transfer function for near-field enhancement in waveguide coupled plasmonic transducers” Lauren M. Otto, D. Frank Ogletree, Shaul Aloni, Matteo Staffaroni, Barry C. Stipe and Aeron T. Hammack describe how visualizations of the near-field modes in the region of a plasmonic device were created using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy cathodoluminescence with both showing a strong correspondence to multiphysical numerical modeling of the devices under interrogation. The sSNOM measurements shown in this article were performed with NANOSENSORS™ AdvancedTEC™ ATEC-NC tip-view AFM probes.https://www.nanosensors.com/advanced-tip-at-the-end-of-the-… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article.#ScatteringScanningNearFieldOpticalMicroscopy #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM

NanoWorld Retro Trailer passes the 500 views markMon Oct 14 2019

New post - NanoWorld Retro Trailer passes the 500 views mark (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/nanoworld-retro-trailer-passes…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Looks like some people enjoyed a little nostalgia over the weekend and helped the NanoWorld Retro Trailer pass the 500 views mark. Thanks for watching! The AFM probe you can see in the last frames of the video is a NanoWorld High Apect Ratio AFM probe. https://youtu.be/faF7x9jxCKE The NanoWorld Retro Trailer featuring NanoWorld High Aspect Ratio Probes #AtomicForceMicroscopy

From Polymer to Magnetic Porous Carbon Spheres: Combined...Thu Oct 10 2019

Published new post (From Polymer to Magnetic Porous Carbon Spheres: Combined Microscopy, Spectroscopy, and Porosity Studies) on NANOSENSORS Blog In their research paper “From Polymer to Magnetic Porous Carbon Spheres: Combined Microscopy, Spectroscopy, and Porosity Studies” Federico Cesano, Sara Cravanzola, Valentina Brunella, Alessandro Damin and Domenica Scarano, after having first reported the preparation of polymer waste-derived microporous carbon microspheres (SBET ~800 m2/g) 100–300 μm in size, investigate the morphology, porous texture and the surface properties of carbon and of magnetic carbon microspheres by multiple techniques.* The multi-technique methodology they used aims at an extensive description of the different characteristics of activated carbons with magnetic properties. For the Atomic Force Microscopy described in this paper NANOSENSORS™ SSS-MFMR AFM probes for high resolution magnetic force imaging were used for the topography images as well as the MFM imaging. https://www.nanosensors.com/supersharpsilicon-magnetic-force-microscopy-reflex-coating-afm-tip-SSS-MFMR Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS Blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AmorphousCarbon #Fe3O4 #nanoparticles #AtomicForceMicroscopy

NanoWorld Trailer Retro (2001)Wed Oct 09 2019

We're celebrating #NationalNanoDay with the NanoWorld retro video today. The last frame of the video shows an #AFMprobe tip with a tip radius of smaller than 10 nm . This AFM probe is a High Apect Ratio #AFMtip which is used in #AtomicForceMicroscopy to measure deep trenches and other steep features. Do you recognize it? https://youtu.be/faF7x9jxCKE

BudgetSensorsMon Oct 07 2019

Quantitative depth sensing with AFM contact-resonance imaging using BudgetSensors Multi75Al-G and ContAl-G https://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/1.5113567 #AFMProbes #AtomicForceMicroscopy

A Short Peptide Hydrogel with High Stiffness Induced by...Fri Oct 04 2019

New post - A Short Peptide Hydrogel with High Stiffness Induced by 310‐Helices to β‐Sheet Transition in Water (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/a-short-peptide-hydrogel-with-high-stiffness-induced-by-310%e2%80%90helices-to-%ce%b2%e2%80%90sheet-transition-in-water/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. In the article “A Short Peptide Hydrogel with High Stiffness Induced by 310‐Helices to β‐Sheet Transition in Water” by Shu Hui Hiew, Harini Mohanram, Lulu Ning, Jingjing Guo, Antoni Sánchez‐Ferrer, Xiangyan Shi, Konstantin Pervushin, Yuguang Mu, Raffaele Mezzenga and Ali Miserez, a short biomimetic peptide composed of eight amino acid residues derived from squid sucker ring teeth proteins is demonstrated to form hydrogel in water without any cross‐linking agent or chemical modification and exhibits a stiffness on par with the stiffest peptide hydrogels. Their study broadens the range of sec #hydrogel #PeptideHydrogels #AtomicForceMicroscopy #BiomedicalMaterials

MikroMaschMon Sep 30 2019

In-house grown diamond microspheres attached to our tipless HQ:CSC38 series cantilevers for probing mechanical properties of different materials. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00693 #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFMProbes #Nanomechanics #ForceSpectroscopy

Second Day MNE 2019 – NANOSENSORS BlogTue Sep 24 2019

Published new post (Second Day MNE 2019) on NANOSENSORS Blog It is the second day of #MNE2019. Have you already had a chance to meet our CEO Manfred Detterbeck there and discuss the many applications that are possible using our #AFMprobes for #AtomicForceMicroscopy? Manfred Detterbeck is attending the 45th International Conference on Micro & Nano Engineering this week. You too? #nanotechnology #nanofabrication #AFMprobes #microtechnology

Meet us at MNE 2019Mon Sep 23 2019

New post - Meet us at MNE 2019 (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/meet-us-at-mne-2019/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. NanoWorld AG CEO Manfred Detterbeck is #MNE2019 the 45th International Conference on Micro & Nano Engineering which is currently being held from September 23rd-26th, 2019 in Rhodes, Greece. Will we meet you there too? meet NanoWorld CEO Manfred Detterbeck at MNE 2019 #micro #AFMprobes #nanotech

Nonlinear Biomechanical Characteristics of Deep Deformation of...Mon Sep 23 2019

Published new post (Nonlinear Biomechanical Characteristics of Deep Deformation of Native RBC Membranes in Normal State and under Modifier Action) on NANOSENSORS Blog The mechanical properties and structural organization of membranes determine the functional state of red blood cells (RBCs). Deformability is one of the key physiological and biophysical indicators of RBC. Changes of the mechanical characteristics of cell membranes can lead to a decrease in the rate of capillary blood flow and to development of stagnant phenomena in the microcirculation, and it can also reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues.* In the article “Nonlinear Biomechanical Characteristics of Deep Deformation of Native RBC Membranes in Normal State and under Modifier Action” Elena Kozlova, Aleksandr Chernysh, Ekaterina Manchenko, Viktoria Sergunova and Viktor Moroz describe how they evaluated the ability of membranes of native human red blood cells (RBCs) to bend into the cell to a depth comparable in size with physiological deformations using the methods of atomic force microscopy ( AFM ) and atomic force spectroscopy ( AFS ).* As a true estimation of the elastic properties of RBC membranes can be obtained only by measurement of native cell properties the aim of the experiments was to study nonlinear mechanical characteristics of deep deformation of native RBC membranes in normal state and under the action of modifiers, in vitro to make sure that the result would be the closest to the characteristics of a living biological object.* NANOSENSORS™ rounded AFM tips of the type SD-R150-T3L450B with a typical tip radius of 150 nm from the NANOSENSORS Special Developments List were used to measure the deformation of the RBC membrane by atomic force spectroscopy ( AFS ).* https://www.nanosensors.com/pdf/SpecialDevelopmentsList.pdf Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ForceSpectroscopy #CellBiology #erythrocytes #AFMprobes

Simultaneous Quantification of the Interplay Between Molecular...Wed Sep 18 2019

New post - Simultaneous Quantification of the Interplay Between Molecular Turnover and Cell Mechanics by AFM–FRAP (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/simultaneous-quantification-of-the-interplay-between-molecular-turnover-and-cell-mechanics-by-afm-frap/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=Simultaneous+Quantification+of+the+Interplay+Between+Molecular+Turnover+and+Cell+Mechanics+by+AFM%E2%80%93FRAP&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Quantifying the adaptive mechanical behavior of living cells is essential for the understanding of their inner working and function.* In their article “Simultaneous Quantification of the Interplay Between Molecular Turnover and Cell Mechanics by AFM–FRAP” Mark Skamrahl, Huw Colin‐York, Liliana Barbieri and Marco Fritzsche use a combination of atomic force microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching is introduced which offers simultaneous quantification and direct correlation of molecule kinetics and mechanics in living cells.* Simultaneous quantification of the relationship between molecule kinetics and cell mechanics may thus open up unprecedented insights into adaptive mechanobiological mechanisms of cells.* For the AFM nanoindentation tests described in their publication the authors used NanoWorld Arrow-TL2 tipless cantilevers that were functionalized with a polystyrene bead with 5 µm radius.* https://www.nanoworld.com/array-of-2-tipless-cantilevers-arrow-tl2-afm-tip Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #CellMechanics #biomechanics #nanoindentation

nanotoolsTue Sep 17 2019

Discover how nanotools SuperSharpStandard-FMR with 2-3 nm radius https://www.nanotools.com/products/blue-line/enhanced-resolution/supersharp-enhanced-soft.html and biosphere™ with 50, 100 and 300 nm radii https://www.nanotools.com/products/green-line/nanoindentation/biosphere.html are applied for imaging and indentation measurements in the latest nanotools blogpost #nanoindentation #AFMindentation #ElasticModulus

BudgetSensorsMon Sep 16 2019

Magnetic skyrmions observed in unpatterned symmetric multilayers at room temperature and zero magnetic field with our MagneticMulti75-G #AFMProbes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412027/ #AtomicForceMicroscopy

Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2...Tue Sep 10 2019

Published new post (Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments) on NANOSENSORS Blog The properties and performance of polycrystalline materials depend critically on the properties of their grain boundaries.* In the article “Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments “ Nicoleta Nicoara, Roby Manaligod, Philip Jackson, Dimitrios Hariskos, Wolfram Witte, Giovanna Sozzi, Roberto Menozzi and Sascha Sadewasser investigate the direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(in,GA)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride treatment. They present a KPFM study on the electronic GB properties in CIGSe deposited by co-evaporation and compare the effect of KF-, RbF-, and CsF-PDT.* Their results suggest that heavier alkali elements might lead to better passivation by reducing the density of charged defects and increasing the formation of secondary phases at grain boundaries.* The KPFM measurements for the study were carried out with platinum iridium coated NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-NCLPt AFM probes.* https://www.nanosensors.com/pointprobe-plus-non-contact-tapping-mode-long-cantilever-ptir5-coating-afm-tip-PPP-NCLPt Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ElectronicProperties #KelvinProbeForceMicroscopy #PolycrystallineMaterials

New PostThu Sep 05 2019

The last day of #JASIS2019 has started. Don't miss your chance to stop at NanoAndMore Japan booth 6A-402 in hall 6 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba today to find out more about the many different kinds of #AFMprobes from different manufacturers that we offer. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #AFMプローブ #走査型プローブ顕微鏡 #原子間力顕微鏡 #SPMプローブ #JASIS

BudgetSensorsThu Sep 05 2019

Find out what BudgetSensors #AFMprobe would fit best to your application in #AtomicForceMicroscopy at NanoAndMore Japan booth 6A-402 in exhibition hall 6 at #JASIS 2019 this week.

Visit us at JASIS 2019 this week – NANOSENSORS BlogWed Sep 04 2019

Published new post (Visit us at JASIS 2019 this week) on NANOSENSORS Blog Don’t forget to visit us @NanoAndMore Japan booth 6A-402 in hall 6 at #JASIS2019 this week and let them explain with their fancy new #AFMtip models which #AFMprobe among the many options we offer is best for your #AtomicForceMicroscopy and #ScanningProbeMicroscopy application. We are looking forward to seeing you! Many different AFM tip models at the NanoAndMore Japan booth at JASIS 2019 this week #JASIS2019 #AtomicForceMicroscopy #原子間力顕微鏡

Real-Time Observation of Fibrous Zeolites Reactivity in Contact...Wed Sep 04 2019

New post - Real-Time Observation of Fibrous Zeolites Reactivity in Contact with Simulated Lung Fluids (SLFs) Obtained by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/real-time-observation-of-fibrous-zeolites-reactivity-in-contact-with-simulated-lung-fluids-slfs-obtained-by-atomic-force-microscope-afm/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=Real-Time+Observation+of+Fibrous+Zeolites+Reactivity+in+Contact+with+Simulated+Lung+Fluids+%28SLFs%29+Obtained+by+Atomic+Force+Microscope+%28AFM%29&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Inhalation of fibrous erionite particles has been linked to malignant mesothelioma. Accordingly, erionite is considered the most carcinogenic mineral. The reactivity and the nature of erionite biotoxicity has been the subject of intensive research. Despite very close chemical and structural relationships between erionite and offretite, the reactivity of offretite in lung fluids remains unknown.* In their paper “Real-Time Observation of Fibrous Zeolites Reactivity in Contact with Simulated Lung Fluids (SLFs) Obtained by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)”, Matteo Giordani, Georgia Cametti, Fulvio Di Lorenzo and Sergey V. Churakov investigate the interaction of erionite and offretite surfaces with simulated lung fluids by means of in situ atomic force microscope (AFM).* The outcomes presented in the paper mentioned above represent an important step in understanding the complex processes occurring at the surfaces of mineral fibres that could be involved in the toxicological pathway.* The topography scans were performed in tapping mode with a NanoWorld Arrow-UHFAuD https://www.nanoworld.com/ultra-high-frequency-afm-tip-arrow-uhf-aud AFM probes under different experimental conditions. To better discriminate the role of the tip from the actual fluid-surface interaction, additional measurements were performed in air and in water in contact mode using an Al-coated NanoWorld Arrow-CONTR https://www.nanoworld.com/contact-mode-reflex-coated-afm-tip-arrow-contr AFM cantilever. Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full paper. #offretite #biotoxicity #SurfaceInteraction #AtomicForceMicroscopy

We’re at JASIS 2019 – you too?Wed Sep 04 2019

New post - We’re at JASIS 2019 – you too? (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/were-at-jasis-2019-you-too/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=We%E2%80%99re+at+JASIS+2019+%E2%80%93+you+too%3F&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. You’re welcome to visit us @NanoAndMore Japan https://www.nanoandmore.jp/ booth 6A-402 at #JASIS2019 from September 4-6th, 2019 at Makuhari Messe, Japan to learn more about NanoWorld high quality #AFM probes for #AtomicForceMicroscopy and #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #AFMプローブ #原子間力顕微鏡

NanoAndMoreWed Sep 04 2019

Come and visit NanoAndMore Japan at #JASIS2019 in hall 6 booth 6A-402 this week and find out more about the many different kinds of #AFMprobes on offer. #JASIS will be held from September 4 (Wed.) to September 6 (Fri.) 2019 at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls Chiba Japan Or visit our website https://www.nanoandmore.jp/ if you don’t have enough time. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #SPM

New PostTue Sep 03 2019

Come and visit NanoAndMore Japan at #JASIS2019 in hall 6 booth 6A-402 this week and find out more about the many different kinds of #AFMprobes on offer. #JASIS will be held from September 4 (Wed.) to September 6 (Fri.) 2019 at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls Chiba Japan Or visit our website https://www.nanoandmore.jp/ if you don’t have enough time. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #SPM

New PostTue Sep 03 2019

NanoAndMore ジャパン がJASIS 2019に出展 JASIS2019（9月4日～6日　幕張メッセ）にてNanoWorldホールティング傘下のカンチレバーの展示を行います。6ホールブース6A-402でお待ちしております！ https://www.nanoandmore.jp/ #AFMprobes #AtomicForceMicroscopy #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #AFMプ ローブ #走査型プローブ顕微鏡 #原子間力顕微鏡 #SPMプローブ #JASIS #JASIS2019

A tension-adhesion feedback loop in plant epidermis – NANOSENSORS BlogSun Sep 01 2019

Published new post (A tension-adhesion feedback loop in plant epidermis) on NANOSENSORS Blog Mechanical forces have emerged as coordinating signals for most cell functions. Yet, because forces are invisible, mapping tensile stress patterns in tissues remains a major challenge in all kingdoms.* In their research paper “A tension-adhesion feedback loop in plant epidermis” Stéphane Verger, Yuchen Long, Arezki Boudaoud and Olivier Hamant take advantage of the adhesion defects in the Arabidopsis mutant quasimodo1 (qua1) to deduce stress patterns in tissues.* Using suboptimal water potential conditions, the authors revealed the relative contributions of shape- and growth-derived stress in prescribing maximal tension directions in aerial tissues. Consistently, the tension patterns deduced from the gaping patterns in qua1 matched the pattern of cortical microtubules, which are thought to align with maximal tension, in wild-type organs. Conversely, loss of epidermis continuity in the qua1mutant hampered supracellular microtubule alignments, revealing that coordination through tensile stress requires cell-cell adhesion.* Based on the results achieved with plants presented in this research paper, the analysis of basement membrane continuity, and its disruption, may very well help understand how consistent supracellular epidermal patterns relate to mechanical stress, in parallel to the well-established role of cadherin and stress in cell-cell adhesion and epidermal functions.* NANOSENSORS™ special development Sphere AFM probes ( SD-Sphere-NCH-S ) with 400 nm tip radius and 42 N/m spring constant were used. https://www.nanosensors.com/pdf/SpecialDevelopmentsList.pdf Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the ful article. https://www.nanosensors.com/pdf/SpecialDevelopmentsList.pdf Please have a look at the NANOSENOSRS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #CellStiffness #microtubules #AtomicForceMicroscopy #nanoindentation

Launching of hyperbolic phonon-polaritons in h-BN slabs by...Wed Aug 28 2019

New post - Launching of hyperbolic phonon-polaritons in h-BN slabs by resonant metal plasmonic antennas (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/launching-of-hyperbolic-phonon-polaritons-in-h-bn-slabs-by-resonant-metal-plasmonic-antennas/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=Launching+of+hyperbolic+phonon-polaritons+in+h-BN+slabs+by+resonant+metal+plasmonic+antennas&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Launching and manipulation of polaritons in van der Waals materials offers novel opportunities for applications such as field-enhanced molecular spectroscopy and photodetection.* Particularly, the highly confined hyperbolic phonon polaritons (HPhPs) in h-BN slabs attract growing interest for their capability of guiding light at the nanoscale. An efficient coupling between free space photons and HPhPs is, however, hampered by their large momentum mismatch.* In the article “Launching of hyperbolic phonon-polaritons in h-BN slabs by resonant metal plasmonic antennas” P. Pons-Valencia, F. J. Alfaro-Mozaz, M. M. Wiecha, V. Biolek, I. Dolado, S. Vélez,P. Li, P. Alonso-González, F. Casanova, L. E. Hueso, L. Martín-Moreno, R. Hillenbrand and A. Y. Nikitin show that resonant metallic antennas can efficiently launch HPhPs in thin h-BN slabs. Despite the strong hybridization of HPhPs in the h-BN slab and Fabry-Pérot plasmonic resonances in the metal antenna, the efficiency of launching propagating HPhPs in h-BN by resonant antennas exceeds significantly that of the non-resonant ones. Their results provide fundamental insights into the launching of HPhPs in thin polar slabs by resonant plasmonic antennas, which will be crucial for phonon-polariton based nanophotonic devices.* A commercial s-SNOM setup in which the oscillating (at a frequency Ω≅270kHz) metal-coated (Pt/Ir) AFM tip (NanoWorld ARROW-NCPt) was illuminated by p-polarized mid-IR radiation, was used.* https://www.nanoworld.com/tapping-mode-platinum-coated-afm-tip-arrow-ncpt Please have a look the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full paper.

Conductive-probe atomic force microscopy and Kelvin-probe force...Sun Aug 18 2019

Published new post (Conductive-probe atomic force microscopy and Kelvin-probe force microscopy characterization of OH-terminated diamond (111) surfaces with step-terrace structures) on NANOSENSORS Blog Diamond has a high breakdown field, high carrier mobilities and the highest thermal conductivity. That is why diamond is a promising material for next generation high-power devices such as field effect transistors.* In their paper “Conductive-probe atomic force microscopy and Kelvin-probe force microscopy characterization of OH-terminated diamond (111) surfaces with step-terrace structures”, Masatsugu Nagai, Ryo Yoshida, Tatsuki Yamada, Taira Tabakoya, Christoph E. Nebel, Satoshi Yamasaki, Toshiharu Makino, Tsubasa Matsumoto, Takao Inokuma and Norio Tokuda report about a detailed characterization of OH-terminated diamond (111) surfaces with step-terrace (ST) and bunching-step (BS) regions. In order to obtain the OH-terminated diamond (111) surfaces, they combined three techniques: anisotropic diamond etching by thermochemical reaction between Ni and diamond in high-temperature water vapor, hydrogen plasma treatment24) and water vapor annealing. For characterization of the topography as well as electronic surface properties, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Kelvin-probe force microscopy (KPFM) and conductive-prove AFM (CPAFM) were applied.* They found that the contact potential difference (CPD) and current were highly correlated with the surface topography and concluded that the interface states were generated around steps on the OH-terminated diamond (111) surfaces.* The results presented in this paper indicate that atomically flat diamond surfaces with minimal step densities are required to form ideal MOS structures with minimized interface state densities.* The CPD maps of the OH-terminated diamond (111) surfaces were obtained by the KPFM measurements, using NANOSENSORS™ Platinum Silicide ( PtSi ) AFM probes. * https://www.nanosensors.com/uploads/media/files/0001/05/46425f364ed11a0a90b5c6db11118a319a4b4705.pdf Please have a look at the NANOSENORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #KPFM #AtomicForceMicroscopy #ScanningProbeMicroscopy

ChinaNano 2019 Beijing August 17-19, Booth 218Sat Aug 17 2019

New post - ChinaNano 2019 Beijing August 17-19, Booth 218 (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/chinanano-2019-beijing-august-17-19-booth-218/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=ChinaNano+2019+Beijing+August+17-19%2C+Booth+218&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. To all members of the #AFMcommunity who have also travelled to Beijing to participate in the ChinaNano 2019 conference this week: Welcome at our booth 218 at the ChinaNano 2019! We hope you have some time left to drop in and let us know about the progress of your research. Looking forward to meeting you at the ChinaNano 2019 #nanoscience #materialsresearch #AtomicForceMicroscopy

Meet NANOSENSORS at booth 218 at ChinaNano 2019 Beijing August 17...Sat Aug 17 2019

Published new post (Meet NANOSENSORS at booth 218 at ChinaNano 2019 Beijing August 17 – 19, 2019) on NANOSENSORS Blog We are at booth 218 at the ChinaNano 2019, the 8th International Conference on Nanoscience and Technology at the Beijing International Convention Center (BICC). We are looking forward to seeing you there! Learn all about NANOSENSORS AFM probes at the ChinaNano 2019 #nanotechnology #nanomaterials #AFMcommunity

Meet NANOSENSORS at booth 218 at ChinaNano 2019 Beijing August 17...Sat Aug 17 2019

Published new post (Meet NANOSENSORS at booth 218 at ChinaNano 2019 Beijing August 17 – 19, 2019) on NANOSENSORS Blog We are at booth 218 at the ChinaNano 2019, the 8th International Conference on Nanoscience and Technology at the Beijing International Convention Center (BICC). We are looking forward to seeing you there! Learn all about NANOSENSORS AFM probes at the ChinaNano 2019 #nanotechnology #nanomaterials #AFMcommunity

NANOSENSORS proudly sponsors Asia-Pacific PFM 2019 workshop –...Mon Aug 12 2019

Published new post (NANOSENSORS proudly sponsors Asia-Pacific PFM 2019 workshop) on NANOSENSORS Blog NANOSENSORS™ is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Asia-Pacific Workshop on Piezoresponse Force Microscopy ( PFM) and Nanoscale Electromechanics of Functional Materials and Electrochemical Systems (Asia-Pacific PFM 2019), which will be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from August 11 to 14, 2019. We wish all those members of the #AFMcommunity who are participating this week a successful workshop. In the NANOSENSORS blog you will regularly find references to articles mentioning the use of our AFM probes for Piezoresponse Force Microscopy. You’re welcome to have a look at: https://www.nanosensors.com/blog/tag/pfm/ #PiezoresponseForceMicroscopy #nanoscale #materials

Effect of Staple Age on DNA Origami Nanostructure Assembly and...Mon Aug 12 2019

New post - Effect of Staple Age on DNA Origami Nanostructure Assembly and Stability (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/effect-of-staple-age-on-dna-origami-nanostructure-assembly-and-stability/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=Effect+of+Staple+Age+on+DNA+Origami+Nanostructure+Assembly+and+Stability&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. DNA origami nanostructures are widely employed in various areas of fundamental and applied research. Due to the tremendous success of the DNA origami technique in the academic field, considerable efforts currently aim at the translation of this technology from a laboratory setting to real-world applications, such as nanoelectronics, drug delivery, and biosensing. While many of these real-world applications rely on an intact DNA origami shape, they often also subject the DNA origami nanostructures to rather harsh and potentially damaging environmental and processing conditions.* In their article “Effect of Staple Age on DNA Origami Nanostructure Assembly and Stability” Charlotte Kielar, Yang Xin, Xiaodan Xu, Siqi Zhu, Nelli Gorin , Guido Grundmeier, Christin Möser, David M. Smith and Adrian Keller investigate the effect of long-term storage of the employed staple strands on DNA origami assembly and stability.* Atomic force microscopy (AFM) under liquid and dry conditions was employed to characterize the structural integrity of Rothemund triangles assembled from different staple sets that have been stored at −20 °C for up to 43 months.* NanoWorld Ultra-Short Cantilevers USC-F0.3-k0.3 were the AFM probes that were used for the AFM measurements under liquid conditions.* https://www.nanoworld.com/Ultra-Short-Cantilevers-USC-F0.3-k0.3.html Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #DNA #nanotechnology #AtomicForceMicroscopy

Nucleation in confinement generates long-range repulsion between...Mon Aug 05 2019

Published new post (Nucleation in confinement generates long-range repulsion between rough calcite surfaces) on NANOSENSORS Blog Fluid-induced alteration of rocks and mineral-based materials often starts at confined mineral interfaces where nm-thick water films can persist even at high overburden pressures and at low vapor pressures. These films enable transport of reactants and affect forces acting between mineral surfaces. However, the feedback between the surface forces and reactivity of confined solids is not fully understood.* In “Nucleation in confinement generates long-range repulsion between rough calcite surfaces» Joanna Dziadkowiec, Bahareh Zareeipolgardani, Dag Kristian Dysthe and Anja Røyne describe how they used the surface forces apparatus (SFA) to follow surface reactivity in confinement and measure nm-range forces between two rough calcite surfaces in NaCl, CaCl2, or MgCl2 solutions with ionic strength of 0.01, 0.1 or 1 M.* Roughness evolution with time of single, unconfined calcite films in salt solutions was analyzed by Atomic Force Microscopy using NANOSENSORS™ uniqprobe qp-SCONT AFM probes to image the surfaces in contact mode.* https://www.nanosensors.com/uniqprobe-uniform-quality-spm-probe-soft-contact-mode-qp-scont Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #ChemicalPhysics #RoughnessCharacterization

The Skeptics' Guide to the UniverseFri Aug 02 2019

#AFMcommunity

Happy Birthday SwitzerlandThu Aug 01 2019

New post - Happy Birthday Switzerland (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/happy-birthday-switzerland/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=Happy+Birthday+Switzerland&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. It's the Swiss National Holiday today. Have fun everyone!

Happy Swiss National Holiday with Smallest Swiss Cross –...Wed Jul 31 2019

Published new post (Happy Swiss National Holiday with Smallest Swiss Cross) on NANOSENSORS Blog Basel University : Smallest Swiss Cross – Made of 20 Single Atoms ( a NANOSENSORS PPP-NCL was used for this image) 20 bromine atoms positioned on a sodium chloride surface using the tip of an atomic force microscope at room temperature, creating a Swiss cross with the size of 5.6nm. The structure is stable at room temperature and was achieved by exchanging chlorine with bromine atoms. (Fig: University of Basel, Department of Physics)

Ultra-high resolution imaging of thin films and single strands of...Mon Jul 29 2019

New post - Ultra-high resolution imaging of thin films and single strands of polythiophene using atomic force microscopy (https://www.nanoworld.com/blog/ultra-high-resolution-imaging-of-thin-films-and-single-strands-of-polythiophene-using-atomic-force-microscopy/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_content=Ultra-high+resolution+imaging+of+thin+films+and+single+strands+of+polythiophene+using+atomic+force+microscopy&utm_campaign=NanoWorld+Blog) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Real-space images of polymers with sub-molecular resolution could provide valuable insights into the relationship between morphology and functionality of polymer optoelectronic devices, but their acquisition is problematic due to perceived limitations in atomic force microscopy (AFM).* In the article “Ultra-high resolution imaging of thin films and single strands of polythiophene using atomic force microscopy” Vladimir V. Korolkov, Alex Summerfield, Alanna Murphy, David B. Amabilino, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi and Peter H. Beton show that individual thiophene units and the lattice of semicrystalline spin-coated films of polythiophenes (PTs) may be resolved using AFM under ambient conditions through the low-amplitude (≤ 1 nm) excitation of higher eigenmodes of a cantilever.* They authors demonstrate that the use of higher eigenmodes in tapping-mode ambient AFM can be successfully employed to characterize both individual polymer strands down to a single-atom level and also the ordering of a semi-crystalline polymer with technological relevance. The combination of AFM and solution deposition provides a simple and high-resolution approach to characterizing the structure of polymers.* The use of NanoWorld Arrow-UHF high frequency AFM probes at their first eigenmode of ~1.4 MHz is mentioned.* https://www.nanoworld.com/ultra-high-frequency-tapping-mode-afm-tip-arrow-uhf Please have a look at the NanoWorld blogpost for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #ImagingTechniques #MolecularSelfAssembly

BudgetSensorsMon Jul 22 2019

Get the most out of your BudgetSensors HS or CS calibration grating! No surface is ideally smooth at the nanoscale, but that does not mean you cannot achieve highly accurate and precise calibration. Averaging the scan profile over several micrometers significantly improves your system's calibration. Check out our calibration gratings here: https://www.budgetsensors.com/calibration-standards #AFMProbes #AtomicForceMicroscopy #Calibration

Ferroelectricity-free lead halide perovskites – NANOSENSORS BlogSun Jul 21 2019

Published new post (Ferroelectricity-free lead halide perovskites) on NANOSENSORS Blog In the recent publication “Ferroelectricity-free lead halide perovskites” Andrés Gómez, Qiong Wang, Alejandro R. Goñi, Mariano Campoy-Quilesa and Antonio Abate describe how they employed direct piezoelectric force microscopy ( DPFM ) to examine whether or not lead halide perovskites exhibit ferroelectricity.* Their article aims to provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental physical properties of the organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites and solves a longstanding dispute about their non-ferroelectric character: an issue of high relevance for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications.* In the course of their research in which besides using DPFM, they also employed piezoelectric force microscopy ( PFM ) and electrostatic force microscopy ( EFM ), they could demonstrate the non-ferroelectricity of lead halide perovskites. * The PFM images were acquired using a PtIr coated NANOSENSORS PPP-EFM AFM probe. https://www.nanosensors.com/PointProbe-Plus-Electrostatic-Force-Microscopy-PtIr5-Coating-afm-tip-PPP-EFM Please have a look at the NANOSENORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #perovskite #photovoltaics #ElectrostaticForceMicroscopy #AFMprobes