A Study on HA Titanium Surface with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

Three kinds of titanium surface especially the HA surface are analyzed. Titanium was treated by 3 kinds of methods that were acid ＆ alkali, calcic solution and apathe solution. Samples were observed by optic microscope and atomic force microscope （ AFM ） . The typical surface morphology of the acid and alkali group is little holes, and on the two HA surface the tiny protuberances is typical. The surface treated by apatite solution was smoother than the two formers. The rough surface treated with acid and alkali was propitious to Ca^＋ , P^- and proteins＇ adhesion, and the relatively smooth HA surface was of benefit to the cell adhesion.

Nonlinear control techniques for an atomic force microscope system

Two nonlinear control techniques are proposed for an atomic force microscopesystem. Initially, a learning-based control algorithm is developed for the microcantilever-samplesystem that achieves asymptotic cantilever tip tracking for periodic trajectories. Specifically, thecontrol approach utilizes a learning-based feedforward term to compensate for periodic dynamics andhigh-gain terms to account for non-periodic dynamics. An adaptive control algorithm is thendeveloped to achieve asymptotic cantilever tip tracking for bounded tip trajectories despiteuncertainty throughout the system parameters. Simulation results are provided to illustrate theefficacy and performance of the control strategies.

MICRO/NANO-MACHINING ON SILICON SURFACE WITH A MODIFIED ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE

To understand the deformation and removal mechanism of material on nano-scale at ultralow loads,a systemic study on AFM micro/nano-machining on single crystal ailicon is conducted. The results indicate that AFM nano- machining has a precisely dimensional controllability and a good surface quality on nanometer scale.A SEM is adopted to observe nano-machined region and chips,the results indicate that the material removal mechanisms change with the applied normal load. An XPS is used to analyze the changes of chemical composition inside and outside the nano-machined region respectively.The nano-indentation which is conducted with the same AFM diamond tip on the machined region shows a big discrepancy compared with that on the macro-scale. The calculated results show higher nano-hardness and elastic modulus than normal values .This phenomenon on be regarded as the indentation size effect(ISE).

Surface Electromechanical Coupling on DLC Film with Conductive Atomic Force Microscope

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) film composed of microscopically insulation but microscopically a mixture of conducting (sp2) and insulating (sp3) phases was discussed on the local modification with a conductive atomic force microscope (C-APM). Especially, a topographic change was observed when a direct current (DC) bias-voltage was applied to the DLC film. Experimental results show that a nanoscale pit on DLC surface was formed when applying a positive 25 V on DLC film. According to the interacting force between CoCr-coated microelectronic scanning probe (MESP) tip and DLC surface, as well as the Sondheimer oscillation theory, the 'scalewing effect' of the pit was explained. Electromechanical coupling on DLC film suggested that the depth of pits increased with an increase of load applied to surface when the cantilever-deflected signal was less than a certain threshold voltage.

IMPROVED FABRICATION METHOD FOR CARBON NANOTUBE PROBE OF ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY(AFM)

An improved arc discharge method is developed to fabricate carbon nanotube probe of atomic force microscopy （AFM） here. First, silicon probe and carbon nanotube are manipulated under an optical microscope by two high precision microtranslators. When silicon probe and carbon nanotube are very close, several tens voltage is applied between them. And carbon nanotube is divided and attached to the end of silicon probe, which mainly due to the arc welding function. Comparing with the arc discharge method before, the new method here needs no coat silicon probe with metal film in advance, which can greatly reduce the fabrication＇s difficulty. The fabricated carbon nanotube probe shows good property of higher aspect ratio and can more accurately reflect the true topography of silicon grating than silicon probe. Under the same image drive force, carbon nanotube probe had less indentation depth on soft triblock copolymer sample than silicon probe. This showed that carbon nanotube probe has lower spring constant and less damage to the scan sample than silicon probe.

Atomic force microscope study of WC-10Co cemented carbide sintered from nanocrystalline composite powders

In order to compare the spark plasma sintedng （SPS） process plus hot isostatic press （HIP） with vacuum sintedng plus HIP, an investigation was carried out on the topography, microstructure and gain size distribution of nanocrystalline WC-10Co composite powder and the sintered specimens prepared by SPS plus HIP and by vacuum sintering plus HIP by means of atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The mechanical properties of the sintered specimens were also investigated. It is very easy to find cobalt lakes in the specimen prepared by vacuum sintering plus HIP process. But the microstructure of the specimen prepared by SPS plus HIP is more homogeneous, and the grain size is smaller than that prepared by vacuum sintering plus HIP. The WC-10Co ultrafine cemented carbide consolidated by SPS plus HIP can reach a relative density of 99.4%, and the transverse rupture strength （TRS） is higher than 3540 MPa, the Rockwell A hardness （HRA） is higher than 92.8, the average grain size is smaller than 300 nm, and the WC-10Co ultrafine cemented carbide with excellent properties is achieved. The specimen prepared by SPS with HIP has better properties and microstructure than that prepared by vacuum sintering with HIP.

Research on a Diamond Tip Wear Mechanism in Atomic Force Microscope-based Micro/nano-machining

The object is to investigate the wear of an atomic force microscope (AFM) diamond tip when conducting micro/nano machining on single crystal silicon surface. The experimental research and theoretical analysis were carried out on the worn tip in terms of wear rate, wear mechanism and the effect of the tip wear on micro machining process. The wear rate was calculated as 1.7(10～10mm 3/(N·m) by using a theoretical model combined with the experimental results. Through an integration of an AFM observation on the worn tip features with the FEM simulation of the stress distribution, in addition to the unit cutting force calculation on the AFM diamond tip, the wear mechanism of the AFM diamond tip was concluded as mainly chemical wear, and the wear process was also elaborated as well.

Surface topography of La-Ti composite oxide nanocrystallines examined with atomic force microscope

By means of atomic force microscope, the surface pattern, particle size distribution, and specific surface area of La Ti composite oxide were studied. The compound particle surface appears as a smooth sheet, the even size of the compound ranges from 19.85 nm to 25.38 nm. The particle seems smooth, which erects at a height from 4.69 nm to 5.88 nm.The surface area ranges from 58.90 nm 2 to 1 238.04 nm 2. The La Ti composite oxide nanocrystallines enjoy a narrow and even particle size distribution and accumulate closely.

Edge Effects and Coupling Effects in Atomic Force Microscope Images

The AFM images were obtained by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and transformed from the deformation of AFM micro cantilever probe. However, due to the surface topography and surface forces applied on the AFM tip of sample, the deformation of AFM probe results in obvious edge effects and coupling effects in the AFM images.The deformation of AFM probe was analyzed,the mechanism of the edge effects and the coupling effects was investigated, and their results in the AFM images were studied. It is demonstrated by the theoretical analysis and AFM experiments that the edge effects make lateral force images more clear than the topography images,also make extraction of frictional force from lateral force images more complex and difficult. While the coupling effects make the comparison between topography images and lateral force images more advantage to acquire precise topography information by AFM.

Preparation of La-Ti Composite Oxide Nanocrystal and Examination of Their Surface Topography with Atomic Force Microscope

With sol-gel method, nanometer La-Ti composite oxide was successfully prepared at a low temperature (750～800C) using polyethylene glycol as dispersant. By means of atomic force microscope, the surface pattern, particle size distribution, and specific surface area were studied. The compound particle surface appears as a smooth sheet, the mean size of the compound is 25.38 nm. On the specific surface, the particle erects at a height of 4.69 nm. The surface area is 58.90 nm2. The La-Ti composite oxide nanocrystal prefers to narrow and even particle size distribution and the homogeneity of surface topography.

Competitive Adsorption between Bovine Serum Albumin and Collagen Observed by Atomic Force Microscope

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the competitive adsorption betweenbovine serum albumin (BSA) and type Ⅰ collagen on hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicon wafers.BSA showed a grain shape and the type Ⅰ collagen displayed fibril-like molecules with relativelyhomogeneous height and width, characterized with clear twisting (helical formation). These AFMimages illustrated that quite a lot of type Ⅰ collagen appeared in the adsorption layer on hydrophilicsurface in a competitive adsorption state, but the adsorption of BSA was more preponderant than thatof type Ⅰ collagen on hydrophobic silicon wafer surface. The experiments showed that theinfluence of BSA on type Ⅰ collagen adsorption on hydrophilic surface was less than that onhydrophobic surface.

Sorting Gold and Sand(Silica) Using Atomic Force Microscope-Based Dielectrophoresis

Additive manufacturing-also known as 3D printing-has attracted much attention in recent years as a powerful method for the simple and versatile fabrication of complicated three-dimensional structures.However,the current technology still exhibits a limitation in realizing the selective deposition and sorting of various materials contained in the same reservoir,which can contribute significantly to additive printing or manufacturing by enabling simultaneous sorting and deposition of different substances through a single nozzle.Here,we propose a dielectrophoresis(DEP)-based material-selective deposition and sorting technique using a pipette-based quartz tuning fork(QTF)-atomic force microscope(AFM) platform DEPQA and demonstrate multi-material sorting through a single nozzle in ambient conditions.We used Au and silica nanoparticles for sorting and obtained 95% accuracy for spatial separation,which confirmed the surfaceenhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS).To validate the scheme,we also performed a simulation for the system and found qualitative agreement with the experimental results.The method that combines DEP,pipette-based AFM,and SERS may widely expand the unique capabilities of 3D printing and nano-micro patterning for multi-material patterning,materials sorting,and diverse advanced applications.

Dissipation Energy in Tapping-Mode Atomic Force Microscopes Caused by Liquid Bridge

The dissipation of energy during the process of contact and separation between a tip and a sample is very important for understanding the phase images in the tapping mode of atomic force microscopes（AFMs）. In this study, a method is presented to measure the dissipated energy between a tip and a sample. The experimental results are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical model, which indicates that the method is reliable.Also, this study confirms that liquid bridges are mainly produced by extrusion modes in the tapping mode of AFMs.

In situ observation of surface structures of cardiovascular endothelial cells with atomic force microscope

目的将与原子力量显微镜(AFM ) 在 situ 观察心血管的 endothelial 房间的表面结构。方法新鲜主动脉和大动脉的阀门从 10 只健康雄的新西兰白兔子被把。在在 1% 甲醛修理了以前，新鲜纸巾在缓冲区磷酸盐答案被洗。在一般显微镜下面，固定主动脉或阀门在已经在玻璃幻灯片上被粘住的双方面棍子磁带上被散布。主动脉的 intima 或阀门的主动脉方面向上边。然后，标本在在保温装置摄氏的 37 度下面被弄干并且与纯水被洗。在再弄干以后，标本在站台 ofNanoScope llla AFM 上被装载并且在以 0.5 HZ 的扫描速度拍模式被扫描。表面在固定并且弄干的织物上 endothelial 房间组织的结果能在有 AFM 的 situ 清楚地是 obsserved。大动脉的 endothclial 房间稀疏地大，分叉并且安排并且而主动脉阀门表面上的 endothelial 房间是小的，到血流动的方向的平行少些强烈地分叉并且安排并且对血的方向垂直流动。当扫描范围被缩小的、小粒的超微结构能在 endothelial 房间的表面上被观察时，当扫描范围进一步被缩小，裂缝和卷绕旋转能从大动脉的 endothelial 房间在小粒的表面上被看见。中心洞和包围胀大的像火山的结构能从大动脉的阀门的 endothelial 房间在小粒的表面上被看见。结论与 FM 提供的 AFM 和词法信息在 situ 观察心血管的 endothelial 房间的表面超微结构是可行的可能具有在未来的临床的价值组织病理学说的诊断。

Constant Force Feedback Controller Design Using PID-Like Fuzzy Technique for Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopes

A novel constant force feedback mechanism based on fuzzy logic for tapping mode Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) is proposed in this paper. A mathematical model for characterizing the cantilever-sample interaction subsystem which is nonlinear and contains large uncertainty is first developed. Then, a PID-like fuzzy controller, combing a PD-like fuzzy controller and a PI controller, is designed to regulate the controller efforts and schedule the applied voltage of the Z-axis of the piezoelectric tube scanner to maintain a constant tip-sample interaction force during sample-scanning. Using the PID-like fuzzy controller allows the cantilever tip to track sample surface rapidly and accurately even though the topography of the surface is arbitrary and not given in advance. This rapid tracking response facilitates us to observe samples with high aspect ratio micro structures accurately and quickly. Besides, the overshoot which will result in tip crash in commercial AFMs with a traditional PID controller could be avoided. Additionally, the controller efforts can be intelligently scheduled by using the fuzzy logic. Thus, continuous manual gain-tuning by trial and error such as those in commercial AFMs is alleviated. In final, computer simulations and experimental verifications are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and confirm the validity of the proposed controller.

Development of XY scanner with minimized coupling motions for high-speed atomic force microscope

The design and fabrication processes of a novel scanner withminimized coupling motions for a high-speed atomic force microscope (AFM) were addressed.An appropriate design modification was proposed through the analyses of the dynamic characteristics of existing linear motion stages using a dynamic analysis program,Recurdyn.Because the scanning speed of each direction may differ,the linear motion stage for a high-speed scanner was designed to have different resonance frequencies for the modes,with one dominant displacement in the desired directions.This objective was achieved by using one-direction flexure mechanisms for each direction and mounting one stage for fast motion on the other stage for slow motion.This unsymmetrical configuration separated the frequencies of two vibration modes with one dominant displacement in each desired direction,and hence suppressed the coupling between motions in two directions.A pair of actuators was used for each axis to decrease the crosstalk between the two motions and give a sufficient force to actuate the slow motion stage,which carried the fast motion stage.A lossy material,such as grease,was inserted into the flexure hinge to suppress vibration problems that occurred when using an input triangular waveform.With these design modifications and the vibration suppression method,a novel scanner with a scanning speed greater than 20 Hz is achieved.

Antiproliferative effects of cinobufacini on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells detected by atomic force microscopy

AIM:To investigate the antiproliferative activity of cinobufacini on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and the possible mechanism of its action.METHODS:HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of cinobufacini.Cell viability was measured by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay.Cell cycledistribution was analyzed by flow cytometry(FCM).Cytoskeletal and nuclear alterations were observed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-phalloidin and DAPI staining under a laser scanning confocal microscope.Changes in morphology and ultrastructure of cells were detected by atomic force microscopy(AFM) at the nanoscale level.RESULTS:MTT assay indicated that cinobufacini significantly inhibited the viability of HepG2 cells in a dosedependent manner.With the concentration of cinobufacini increasing from 0 to 0.10 mg/m L,the cell viability decreased from 74.9% ± 2.7% to 49.41% ± 2.2% and 39.24% ± 2.1%(P < 0.05).FCM analysis demonstrated cell cycle arrest at S phase induced by cinobufacini.The immunofluorescence studies of cytoskeletal and nuclear morphology showed that after cinobufacini treatment,the regular reorganization of actin filaments in HepG2 cells become chaotic,while the nuclei were not damaged seriously.Additionally,high-resolution AFM imaging revealed that cell morphology and ultrastructure changed a lot after treatment with cinobufacini.It appeared as significant shrinkage and deep pores in the cell membrane,with larger particles and a rougher cell surface.CONCLUSION:Cinobufacini inhibits the viability of HepG2 cells via cytoskeletal destruction and cell membrane toxicity.

Application of Atomic Force Microscopy in the Study of Polysaccharide

This paper gives a brief introduction to basic principle and working mode of atomic force microscope （AFM）. Sample preparation methods and factors that affect the AFM imaging of polysaccharide are described in detail. Advance in using AFM for morphological observation and quantitative study on polysaccharide molecules are reviewed. Research on single molecule force spectroscopy of polysaccharide and determination and adjustment of conformational change of sugar residue are introduced. Perspective on further application of AFM in polysaccharide investigation is presented.

Evaluating Local Elasticity of the Metal Nano-films Quantitatively Based on Referencing Approach of Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy

Traditional technique such nanoindenter（NI） can＇t measure the local elastic modulus at nano-scale（lateral）. Atomic force acoustic microscopy （AFAM） is a dynamic method, which can quantitatively determine indentation modulus by measuring the contact resonance spectra for high order modes of the cantilever. But there are few reports on the effect of experimental factors, such length of cantilever, contact stiffness on measured value. For three different samples, including copper（Cu） film with 110 nm thickness, zinc（Zn） film of 90 nm thickness and glass slides, are prepared and tested, using referencing approach in which measurements are performed on the test and reference samples （it＇s elastic modulus is known）, and their contact resonance spectra are measured used the AFAM system experimentally. According to the vibration theory, from the lowest two contact resonance frequencies, the tip-sample contact stiffness is calculated, and then the values for the elastic properties of test sample, such as the indentation modulus, are determined. Using AFAM system, the measured indentation modulus of copper nano-film, zinc nano-film and glass slides are 113.53 GPa, 87.92 GPa and 57.04 GPa, which are agreement with literature values Mcu--105-130 GPa, Mzn = 88.44 GPa and Molass = 50-90 GPa. Furthermore, the sensitivity of contact resonance frequency to contact stiffness is analyzed theoretically. The results show that for the cantilevers with the length 160 pm, 225 μm and 520 μm respectively, when contact stiffness increases from 400 N/m to 600 N/m, the increments of first contact resonance frequency are 126 kHz, 93 kHz and 0.6 kHz, which show that the sensitivity of the contact resonance frequency to the contact stiffness reduces with the length of cantilever increasing. The novel method presented can characterize elastic modulus of near surface for nano-film and bulk material, and local elasticity of near surface can be evaluated by optimizing the experimental parameters using the AFAM system.