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UCI scientists analyze first direct images of dissolved organic carbon from the ocean

A team of scientists has obtained direct images of dissolved organic carbon molecules from the ocean using atomic force microscopy. The visualization provides clues about their persistence in the marine environment and sheds light on the cycling of carbon in oceans, helping better understand the overall health of marine environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 5, 2018

Sensing interactions between molecules

Physicists and chemists at the University of Münster have developed a microscopic method to image organic molecules with exceptional resolution. The technique uses an atomically defined probe tip that greatly increases imaging resolution by reducing undesired interaction between atoms.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 11, 2018

Discovery sets new world standard in nano generators

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new way to produce high-density DC current, vastly improving over existing triboelectric nanogenerators. The discovery enables continuous flow of electricity from nanoscale movement and vibration, opening up potential applications in sensors, wearable devices, and more.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 11, 2017

Bringing the atomic world into full color

A French and Japanese research group developed a new way to turn AFM measurements into clear color images, enabling observation of materials and substances like alloys, semiconductors, and chemical compounds. The newly developed method holds promise for becoming widely used in the research and development of surfaces and devices.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 17, 2017

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, October 2017

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to detect network intrusions in connected and autonomous vehicles, with near-perfect detection rates in initial testing. Additionally, scientists have created a technique for making ultrafast measurements using atomic force microscopy, allowing for high-resolution ima...

Drip by drip

Researchers from University of Konstanz have observed non-classical growth of crystals, where liquid preliminary stages accelerate growth rates. This finding has implications for basic research and practical applications, including faster-dissolving medicines.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 21, 2017

A new dimension in chemical nanoimaging

Researchers developed hyperspectral infrared nanoimaging, enabling recording of two-dimensional arrays of nano-FTIR spectra in a few hours. This technique allows for nanoscale-resolved chemical and structural information extraction, revealing spatial distribution and spectral anomalies of individual components.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 23, 2017

Researchers watch catalysts at work

Physicists watched a silver catalyst at work using an atomic force microscope, calculating energy turnover and optimizing catalysis. The Ullmann reaction was observed at atomic resolution, revealing unusual spatial arrangements of intermediate products.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalSmall·DateAug 17, 2016

Van der Waals force re-measured

Scientists at Forschungszentrum Juelich re-measured the van der Waals force for single molecules, revealing a superlinear increase with growing molecular size. The study highlights the importance of van der Waals forces in biomolecules and adhesives, such as geckos' ability to climb smooth walls.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 26, 2014

Laser makes microscopes way cooler

Researchers at Australian National University developed a technique to cool nanowire probes with lasers, increasing their sensitivity 20 times and enabling detection of tiny forces. This could improve the resolution of atomic force microscopes, measuring nanoscopic structures and molecular interactions.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2014

Spot-welding graphene nanoribbons atom by atom

Researchers at Aalto University and Utrecht University have successfully created single atom contacts between gold and graphene nanoribbons. This breakthrough demonstrates how to make electrical contacts with single chemical bonds to graphene nanoribbons, enabling the use of graphene nanostructures in future electronic devices.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2013

University of Illinois researchers develop AFM-IR for nanometer scale chemical identification

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a novel technique called atomic force microscope infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) to measure chemical properties of polymer nanostructures as small as 15 nm. This technique enables accurate identification of material composition, crucial for applications in semiconductors, composite mat...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMar 8, 2013

Microscope probe-sharpening technique improves resolution, durability

A new microscope probe-sharpening technique has been developed to improve imaging resolution and durability for researchers studying tiny structures. The technique, described in Nature Communications, uses a matching voltage to deflect ions and sharpens the probe around the tip, preserving the point and increasing stability.

Scientists develop new technologies for understanding bacterial infections

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a novel approach for studying molecules within their natural environment, allowing for unprecedented detail on bacterial infection mechanisms. The breakthrough utilizes a lateral molecular force microscope to measure biological phenomena directly on a living cell surface, enabling...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2011

Getting the point: Real-time monitoring of atomic-microscope probes adjusts for wear

Scientists at NIST have developed a method to measure the wear and degradation of AFM tips in real time, allowing for dramatic improvements in precision and speed. This technique uses contact resonance force microscopy to track the resonant frequency of the sensor tip, enabling atomic-scale resolution and reducing inaccuracies.

AFM tips from the microwave

Scientists from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena developed a new process to grow carbon nanotubes on scanning probe tips, utilizing microwave radiation for rapid growth. The method improves the fabrication of sharp atomic force microscopy tips, reducing costs and enabling routine measurements.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 21, 2010

How batteries grow old

Ohio State University researchers conducted experiments to test commercially available Li-ion batteries thousands of times, finding irreversible changes at the nanoscale that lead to battery loss of charge. The study suggests that coarsening of electrode materials may be responsible for this loss.