Project goals

• Development of electrical Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) modes
• Sensing electrical charge distributions at the nanoscale in aqueous environment
• In-vitro observations of biological cells

Description

Many fundamental processes in nature rely on the interaction between surface charges at the nanoscale, whether it is about functionalization of a materials surface to make it more durable (corrosion resistant) or the interaction of a biological cells with its environment. Surface charges play a key role in such cases, as they drive electrostatic forces which have direct impact on the behavior of the carrier. With the ability to measure the local surface potential distribution on cells in their natural environment, one could investigate the influence of specific treatments on the systems behavior.

Schematic Implementation of the AC-KPFM principle in an AFM using an external FPGA board.

Schematic Implementation of the AC-KPFM principle in an AFM using an external FPGA board.

This project aims towards the development of electric Atomic Force Microscopy modes for quantitative charge distribution measurements in liquids, or more specific, aqueous solutions with varying ionic concentration. To this end, studies are carried out regarding the formation of electric double layers (EDLs), movement of solvated ions and influence of measurement parameters (electrical drive frequencies,…).

Use cases

• In-vitro studies of biological cells or corrosion processes
• Research applications in biological / material sciences

Related Publications

• D. Kohl, P. Mesquida, and G. Schitter, Quantitative DC-free Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, in Final Program 42nd International Conference on Micro and Nano Engineering, 2016.

Project partner

• Physics Department, King’s College London (Dr. P. Mesquida)

Funding

• Austrian Science Fund (FWF) – Project No. P 31238-N28