scholarly journals A Universal Positioning System for Coupling Characterization of SEM and AFM

Scanning ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jinchao Liu ◽  
Andi Wang ◽  
Ji Yang ◽  
Shiheng Yin ◽  
Xianfeng Yang

Hyphenated techniques, providing comprehensive information in various aspects such as constituent, structure, functional group, and morphology, play an important role in scientific research. Nowadays, coupling characterization of the same position in microscale is in great need in the field of nanomaterial research and exploration. In this article, a new hyphenated technique was developed to facilitate the coupling characterization of atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) by designing a universal positioning system. The system consisted of a specimen holder with coordinate grids and a software for converting the coordinate values of the same point to fit SEM, specimen holder, and AFM system. In working condition, the coordinates of the labeled points and target position were firstly extracted from the SEM operation software, then converted into the numerical values adapted to the specimen holder itself, and finally transformed into the coordinates matching the AFM system. The experimental result showed that a retrieving rate of 96% was achieved for a spherical target with a diameter of 1 μm in a 30   μ m × 30   μ m square. The hyphenated technique is a universal, accurate, efficient, and financially feasible method in microanalysis field and has great application potential.

Author(s):  
Wyatt Leininger ◽  
Xinnan Wang ◽  
X. W. Tangpong ◽  
Marshall McNea

In this study, the elastic modulus of 1 wt. % multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced epoxy composite was characterized using an in-house designed micro/nano tensile load stage in conjunction with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The surface of the nanocomposite was scanned by the AFM during intermittent tensile testing, and micro/nanoscale deformation was observed. The MWCNT reinforced nanocomposite exhibited a 23% increase in the measured elastic modulus compared with the pure epoxy. The elastic moduli of the nanocomposite were also predicted by the Halpin–Tsai and Hui–Shia models, and the former offered a better correlation with the experimental result when only the load bearing outer layer of the MWCNTs was considered. The combination of the load stage and AFM is capable of capturing the in situ deformation progress for small strain increments.


Author(s):  
Kathleen M. Marr ◽  
Mary K. Lyon

Photosystem II (PSII) is different from all other reaction centers in that it splits water to evolve oxygen and hydrogen ions. This unique ability to evolve oxygen is partly due to three oxygen evolving polypeptides (OEPs) associated with the PSII complex. Freeze etching on grana derived insideout membranes revealed that the OEPs contribute to the observed tetrameric nature of the PSIl particle; when the OEPs are removed, a distinct dimer emerges. Thus, the surface of the PSII complex changes dramatically upon removal of these polypeptides. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is ideal for examining surface topography. The instrument provides a topographical view of individual PSII complexes, giving relatively high resolution three-dimensional information without image averaging techniques. In addition, the use of a fluid cell allows a biologically active sample to be maintained under fully hydrated and physiologically buffered conditions. The OEPs associated with PSII may be sequentially removed, thereby changing the surface of the complex by one polypeptide at a time.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Prakash ◽  
Travis Lantz ◽  
Krupal P. Jethava ◽  
Gaurav Chopra

Amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients primarily consists of amyloid beta 1-42 (Ab42). Commercially, Ab42 is synthetized using peptide synthesizers. We describe a robust methodology for expression of recombinant human Ab(M1-42) in Rosetta(DE3)pLysS and BL21(DE3)pLysS competent E. coli with refined and rapid analytical purification techniques. The peptide is isolated and purified from the transformed cells using an optimized set-up for reverse-phase HPLC protocol, using commonly available C18 columns, yielding high amounts of peptide (~15-20 mg per 1 L culture) in a short time. The recombinant Ab(M1-42) forms characteristic aggregates similar to synthetic Ab42 aggregates as verified by western blots and atomic force microscopy to warrant future biological use. Our rapid, refined, and robust technique to purify human Ab(M1-42) can be used to synthesize chemical probes for several downstream in vitro and in vivo assays to facilitate AD research.


Author(s):  
Randal Mulder ◽  
Sam Subramanian ◽  
Tony Chrastecky

Abstract The use of atomic force probe (AFP) analysis in the analysis of semiconductor devices is expanding from its initial purpose of solely characterizing CMOS transistors at the contact level with a parametric analyzer. Other uses found for the AFP include the full electrical characterization of failing SRAM bit cells, current contrast imaging of SOI transistors, measuring surface roughness, the probing of metallization layers to measure leakages, and use with other tools, such as light emission, to quickly localize and identify defects in logic circuits. This paper presents several case studies in regards to these activities and their results. These case studies demonstrate the versatility of the AFP. The needs and demands of the failure analysis environment have quickly expanded its use. These expanded capabilities make the AFP more valuable for the failure analysis community.


Author(s):  
D. Passeri ◽  
A. Bettucci ◽  
M. Germano ◽  
A. Biagioni ◽  
M. Rossi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Stauffenberg ◽  
Ingo Ortlepp ◽  
Ulrike Blumröder ◽  
Denis Dontsov ◽  
Christoph Schäffel ◽  
...  

Abstract This contribution deals with the analysis of the positioning accuracy of a new Nano Fabrication Machine. This machine uses a planar direct drive system and has a positioning range up to 100 mm in diameter. The positioning accuracy was investigated in different movement scenarios, including phases of acceleration and deceleration. Also, the target position error of certain movements at different positions of the machine slider is considered. Currently, the NFM-100 is equipped with a tip-based measuring system. This Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) uses self-actuating and self-sensing microcantilevers, which can be used also for Field-Emission-Scanning-Probe-Lithography (FESPL). This process is capable of fabricating structures in the range of nanometres. In combination with the NFM-100 and its positioning range, nanostructures can be analysed and written in a macroscopic range without any tool change. However, the focus in this article is on the measurement and positioning accuracy of the tip-based measuring system in combination with the NFM-100 and is verified by repeated measurements. Finally, a linescan, realised using both systems, is shown over a long range of motion of 30 mm.


Author(s):  
Willian Silva Conceição ◽  
Ştefan Ţălu ◽  
Robert Saraiva Matos ◽  
Glenda Quaresma Ramos ◽  
Fidel Guereiro Zayas ◽  
...  

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Arnaud Millet

The mechanosensitivity of cells has recently been identified as a process that could greatly influence a cell’s fate. To understand the interaction between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix, the characterization of the mechanical properties of natural polymeric gels is needed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is one of the leading tools used to characterize mechanically biological tissues. It appears that the elasticity (elastic modulus) values obtained by AFM presents a log-normal distribution. Despite its ubiquity, the log-normal distribution concerning the elastic modulus of biological tissues does not have a clear explanation. In this paper, we propose a physical mechanism based on the weak universality of critical exponents in the percolation process leading to gelation. Following this, we discuss the relevance of this model for mechanical signatures of biological tissues.


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