Examples for atomic force microscopy (AFM)

Human hair

Topography of a human hair.
Topography of a human hair.

From the image of the topography of a human hair, the height of the scales can be evaluated.

a) 3D - representation
b) top view
c) Height profile

Liquid-liquid interface

Diiodomethane drops under water.
Diiodomethane drops under water.

Example:

Diiodomethane drop under water

Liquid-liquid interfaces can be imaged using the liquid measuring cell.

Increase of microroughness of plastics after oxygen plasma treatment

Increasing the microroughness of plastics after oxygen plasma treatment.
Increasing the microroughness of plastics after oxygen plasma treatment.

Various blood components

Blood components imaged with the AFM.
Blood components imaged with the AFM.

Biological materials can also be imaged with the AFM:

a) various blood components (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets).
b) a thrombocyte

 

Alzheimer fibril imaging

Figure of Alzheimer fibrils.
Figure of Alzheimer fibrils.

The study and investigation of brain fibrils plays an important role in the study of Alzheimer's disease.

Classic histomorphological features of Alzheimer's disease are the plaques and the so-called Alzheimer's fibrils that accumulate in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

 

Human skin cell

Human skin cell imaged with the AFM.
Human skin cell imaged with the AFM.

Illustration of a human skin cell.

a) Cytoplasmic extension
b) Nuclear area

 

Atomic resolution on a graphite sample

Atomic resolution on a graphite sample.
Atomic resolution on a graphite sample.

In constant-height mode, the atoms of a graphite lattice can be imaged and the distances between the individual atoms can be determined from the line profile.

a) 3D representation of the graphite surface
b) Line profile for the determination of the atomic distance

Stomata opening mechanism on a leafy plant

Stomata mechanism on a leafy plant.
Stomata mechanism on a leafy plant.

Gas exchange and water vapor release in plants occurs through the stomata mechanism.

Roughness analysis

Roughness analysis with AFM.
Roughness analysis with AFM.

A siloxane layer in combination with a plasma alkane layer was applied to an aluminum substrate by plasma polymerization.

a) Siloxane layer on aluminum
b) Roughness analysis of the siloxane layer

Determination of layer thicknesses

Determination of coating thicknesses with AFM.
Determination of coating thicknesses with AFM.

Determination of the thickness of a plasma-deposited BCN layer on a Si wafer. The edge was created by masking during deposition.

a) BCN layer edge
b) Line profile of the edge

Liposomes

Measurement of the size and size distribution of liposomes using AFM.
Measurement of the size and size distribution of liposomes using AFM.

Liposomes are fat droplets such as those used in cosmetics. AFM can be used to measure the size and size distribution of liposomes.

a) several liposomes
b) single liposome
c) single liposome

Polymer latices

Polymere Latices.
Polymere Latices.

Application:

Coating of membranes for chiral separation.