Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology enabling tiny machines to self-calibrate, leading to super-accurate sensors for crime scene forensics, environmental testing and medical diagnostics. This innovation could revolutionize fields like tracking criminal suspects and detecting hazardous substances.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique using atomic force microscopy to study subsurface conditions in nanostructured composite materials. The method, which uses electrostatic forces, allows for the mapping of electric potential distribution and quantification of carbon nanotube concentrations.
A new instrument, Centrifuge Force Microscope (CFM), uses centrifugal force to manipulate molecules, offering a low-cost and simple approach to single-molecule manipulation. This technique enables researchers to study the interactions of thousands of molecules simultaneously.
Researchers have created nanoscale cantilevers that can image individual proteins as they function on cell surfaces without causing damage. The new detection mechanism enables high-resolution imaging in a liquid environment, paving the way for studying biological systems and complex nanostructures.
MIT researchers use high-speed atomic force microscopy to image bacteria in real-time, revealing a two-step process for AMP-induced cell death. The technique allows scientists to study living cells and gain insights into how bacteria become resistant to antimicrobial peptides.
Researchers have developed organic solar cells that can be produced easily and inexpensively as thin films, with the potential to generate electricity from sunlight. By understanding the structure of tiny bubbles and channels inside plastic solar cells, scientists hope to increase efficiency and make them more cost-effective.
Chemists at the University of Illinois developed a molecular force probe to study the effects of stretching molecules, revealing counterintuitive results about chemical bond breaking rates. The technique allows researchers to explore the properties of transition states governing chemical transformations.
Researchers at NIST and CU have developed a method to detect and monitor light reflected off the probe needle point, improving AFM stability under ambient conditions. This enables sensitive atomic-scale measurements at room temperature in liquids, with improved image quality and reduced drift.
A team of researchers at CIC nanoGUNE and Max Planck Institutes developed a non-invasive method to map strain fields in semiconductors using scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (s-SNOM). The technique resolves nanoscale material properties with 20 nm spatial resolution.
The virtual environment, VEDA, allows researchers to spend more time doing research and less time developing simulations. Over 300 researchers have used the platform since its launch, with tools being developed for other applications.
Researchers at UC Davis use individual red blood cells as accurate force transducers to calibrate atomic force microscopes. This technique allows for precise measurement of forces between molecules and cells, advancing our understanding of cell biology.
Researchers have built a proto-prototype nano assembler, a microscopic device capable of constructing nano machines. The NIST system uses micro-scale nanomanipulators to assemble complex structures on a small scale, with the potential for real-time imaging and low-cost production.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $822,000 gift from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to support the purchase of three high-powered electron microscopes. These microscopes will form the nucleus of a groundbreaking research unit, enhancing scientific research capabilities across various disc...
JILA scientists discovered a flaw in the most common DNA elasticity model, leading to errors in measuring short DNA molecules. The finite worm-like chain (FWLC) model improves accuracy by incorporating length effects.
Researchers create new technique for mass-producing nanoscale structures using atomic force microscope and macroscale milling machines. The method enables consistent production of features on the order of single molecules, paving the way for industrial-scale nanotechnology applications.
Researchers used atomic force microscopy to study DNA's flexibility, finding it can bend into tight structures without large forces. The findings shed light on molecular properties viewed at different magnifications and have implications for cell biology and gene regulation.
A new scanning microscopy technique, SPIM, combines high spatial resolution with sensitivity to subtle electrical activity, enabling the visualization of both electronic and physical patterns in devices. The method has been successfully validated by comparing its images with atomic force microscopy scans.
Researchers used atomic force microscopes to 'yank' chemical bonds, accelerating reaction speeds while maintaining the order of bond formation and breaking. This discovery may aid in developing self-healing polymers and lead to a better understanding of fundamental energy exchange in chemical reactions.
Mechanical engineers at Purdue University have proven that chaotic oscillations in an atomic-force microscope can cause errors in measurements, affecting the accuracy of research and industry applications. The study reveals how much error is caused by chaos and provides information that could be used to improve measurement techniques.
A new microscope combining confocal and atomic force microscopy enables three-dimensional imaging of samples at the atomic level. Researchers can study material structure and link small changes on the cell membrane with structures inside a cell.
Researchers at Purdue University have shown how to use multi-walled carbon nanotubes as measuring tips in atomic force microscopes. The tubes' shape allows them to penetrate nano-structures, but they often stick due to van der Waals' forces. To overcome this, the team found that adjusting operating parameters can prevent artifacts and ...
Scientists have created a Nanofountain Probe that enables sub-100 nanometer molecular writing, a capability previously unattained. The device employs a volcano-like dispensing tip and capillary-fed solutions to achieve high-resolution direct writing.
Scientists at UCSD successfully shape carbon nanotubes into sharp bends, enabling new applications in atomic force microscopy and fuel cells. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient and compact electronic devices.
Stanford University has established a new center to develop novel nanoprobes for advancing nanoscale science and technology. The center aims to create revolutionary tools for observing, manipulating, measuring, imaging, and controlling nanoscale phenomena.
Researchers have developed a method that could vastly improve the ability of atomic force microscopes to 'see' the chemical composition of a sample, follow variations of the sample, and map its topographic structure. This new technique allows for molecular-scale imaging with increased sensitivity.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and NASA found that nanosprings exhibit mechanical properties similar to macroscale springs. The findings suggest other nano materials may behave similarly to their macroscale counterparts.
PNNL scientists have found a new way to see beyond the 'diffraction limit' of optical microscopes, revealing the structure of DNA molecules. By combining FLIM with AFM techniques, they've produced sharp images of DNA and nanobeads.
Researchers developed a new method combining atomic force and scanning capacitance microscopes to measure semiconductor switching speeds, enabling quick scanning of wafers for defects. This technique has the potential to determine if missing atoms in semiconductors slow down electrical charge movement.
Researchers at Virginia Tech used an atomic force microscope to measure the sticking efficiency of live Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. They found that the bacteria were surprisingly robust and could withstand various conditions, which can help design more effective filters for water treatment.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the attraction between particles and surfaces using an atomic force microscope. This technique allows for the simulation of various environmental conditions and the quantification of sticking efficiencies, which can improve contaminant removal methods.
A groundbreaking study by University of Melbourne researcher Dr. John Sader challenges the widespread use of V-shaped cantilevers in atomic force microscopy. His research reveals that these microcantlevers actually degrade instrument performance and cause difficulties in calibration, contrary to accepted practice.
Researchers have developed a new microscope technology to study the interaction between biomolecules and minerals. The study focuses on Azotobacter vinelandii, a bacterium that releases siderophores to acquire iron from minerals. The findings suggest that these molecules can also dissolve minerals and potentially remove toxic metals, l...
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new tool to write nanopatterns with DNA inks, enabling the creation of miniaturized gene chips with an array of diagnostic tests. This technology can produce spots of DNA down to 50 nanometers in diameter, reducing cost and time.
Researchers found that collagen in bone contains sacrificial bonds that rupture when stretched and reform when healed, allowing bones to recover quickly. The study suggests these bonds may contribute to the toughness of bone and could have implications for human health and technology.
Researchers at UNC-CH find that electrical resistance varies according to how nanotubes are oriented on a flat surface, with peaks six times as much when rotated 360 degrees. This discovery could be useful for telecommunications and electronics industries.
Researchers at Penn State used atomic force microscopy to study the surface of glass and found that molecular-scale roughness is a key factor in bacterial adhesion. The study suggests that traditional theories on bacterial adhesion may need to be revised.
A team of biophysicists introduces a new method in atomic force microscopy that maps not only topographic features but also the specifics of biochemistry on biological molecules. The technique, which attaches antibodies to microscope tips, allows for precise location of proteins and has extensive applications in biotechnology.
The new microscope employs a scanning metal tip and infrared wave absorption to identify chemical composition on a nanoscale. The technique has potential for high-resolution imaging with 100 nm or better resolution, expanding its applications in electronics, materials, and biology.
A new high-resolution transmission electron microscope at Johns Hopkins University is being used to study metal alloys and predict their behavior in jet engines. By analyzing the arrangement of atoms, researchers can determine the mechanical properties of these materials.
Researchers discovered atom-sized electronic devices on nanotubes, which can conduct electricity like metals or act as semiconductors. This breakthrough may lead to smaller, more efficient devices and reduce heat-related issues.
Researchers from Stanford University and IBM's Almaden Research Center successfully measured forces of infinitesimal magnitude for the first time using a new method called magnetic resonance force microscopy. The technique enables the detection of atto-newton forces, which are one billionth of a billionth of a newton.
A Johns Hopkins study uses an atomic force microscope to probe living heart cells, revealing that actin plays a crucial role in maintaining cell elasticity. The findings suggest that measuring heart cells' elasticity may improve understanding of healthy and diseased cells, leading to better diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
Researchers at ORNL developed microscopic sensors using microcantilevers, detecting relative humidity, temperature, and pressure. They can also detect DNA, proteins, and natural gas, with potential as biosensors.
Cornell materials scientists have created arrays of atomically flat silicon surfaces, eliminating atomic steps and overcoming a major hurdle in miniaturization. The technique involves creating a grid of ridges on the surface and forcing atomic steps into them, resulting in step-free regions.