The use of high-resolution microscopic imaging is continuously increasing in engineering, material science, medical, natural science, and other fields. In many applications, the characterization of surfaces requires spatial resolution of nanometres or lower. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), although a relatively newly developed technique, has now become a powerful technology for characterization of the surface of materials down to the atomic scale. AFM can be used to obtain nanoscale chemical, mechanical (elastic modulus, stiffness, viscoelastic, frictional), electrical, magnetic properties and many more information. In comparison with other microscopy techniques, AFM offers low cost, simplicity in operation, and imaging capability to atomic resolution. It is a powerful non-destructive analytical technique which can be used in air, liquid, or vacuum.
In material science AFM shows spatial ability for Polymeric Materials, Nano-materials, Metals and Ceramics, Energy Materials, Electronic Materials, Surface Science and …
AFM applications in this science fields are studying surface structure, studying crystallization process and Recrystallization, study of sample’s conductivity and image electrical properties, measuring Forces and Deformations in polymetric materials, 3D characterization of nanoparticles, measurements of semiconductor dopant profiling and quality control for dielectric films and oxide layers, investigation of interfacial reaction and instability on the surface of electrode materials, Mapping Nanomechanical Properties, Investigating Morphology and Structure, Investigation of scratch resistance, Detection of surface contamination, Properties of flexible transparent polymers and many more undiscovered applications.
Polymer engineering
Annealing of shape memory polymer
Characterization of elastomeric blends
Physical properties of a single polymeric nanofiber
Characterization of metal‐polymer interaction forces
Nanoscale Imaging of Challenging Polymer Structures
Interrogation of single synthetic polymer chains and polysaccharides
Direct observation of growth of lamellae and spherulites of a semicrystalline polymer
Characterization and molecular engineering of surface-grafted polymer brushes across the length scales
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Electronic Materials
Ionic and electronic impedance imaging
Study conductivity on organic photovoltaics
Quantitative Electrical Property Measurements
Quantitative measurements
Microcrack evaluation for electronics components
Measuring local electronic properties of single-wall nanotube circuits
Investigation of Morphological and electronic properties of the thin film phase of pentacene
Electrical characterisation of local electronic properties of self-assembled semiconductor nanostructures
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Metals and Ceramics
Detection of surface contamination
Local elasticity and lubrication measurements
Investigation of Metal-Composite Resin Interfaces
Characterization of iron oxide coated ceramic membranes
Nano hardness measurements for studying local mechanical properties of metals
Study of Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Magnesium-Ceramics Nano-Layered Thin Films
Study of the friction, adhesion and mechanical properties of single crystals, ceramics and ceramic coatings
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Energy Materials
Measurement of local electrochemical
Activity and surface conductivity
Imaging of the separator membrane on a tensile stage
Thermally and electrochemically induced electrode/electrolyte interfaces in solid oxide fuel cells
Nanopore structure of deep-burial coals explored by AFM
Identifying fuel pyrolysis products and directing the synthesis of analytical standards
Infrared analysis of aging processes of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell components
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Archaeology
Soil Analysis
Surface characterization
Lateral correlation length
Classifying the use of flint tools
Total 3D surface measurement by imaging topography
Surface’s roughness is evaluated from very small artifact’s fragments
AFM can provide high magnification imaging and quantitative information
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Chemistry
Studying native membranes
Investigating SLBs formation
Adsorption of macromolecules
Mechanical Measurements of Cells
Crystallization and Recrystallization
Mechanical failure in flexible electronics
Chemical structure imaging of a single molecule
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Civil
Microfabric study
Gas chromatography
Quantitative surface analysis
Investigating moisture damage
Micromechanical and Electrical properties
Investigation of micro-surface potential of coals
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Mechanic
Corrosion Studies
Nanomanipulation
Analysis of coatings
Molecular mechanics study
Detection of surface contamination
Scratch tests to evaluate scratch resistance
Corrosion of metals in the presence of bacterial biofilms
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Mineral Materials
Phase Imaging
Current Mapping
Elastic modulus Measurement
Single molecule force spectroscopy
Surface study of irradiated sapphires
Study of Nanomechanical characterization of K-basalt
Study on Gemological Characters of Flux-Grown Synthetic Spinel
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Paint
Failure analysis
Real Time Corrosion
Anti-corrosion performance
Scratch testing of paints and coatings
Electrical and magnetic characterization
Scratch and Wear Resistance of paints and varnishes
Morphology and composition characterization of surfaces and coatings
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Physics
lipid membranes
Study of structural basis and biophysical properties of synaptic plasticity
Native membranes studied
Mechanical Measurements of Cells
Manipulation of living glial cells
Insight From the 2D Physics Regime
Mechanical failure in flexible electronics
Transport properties of Si based nanocrystalline films
Membrane Pressing in Between the Actomyosin Cortex Filaments
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Textile
Composition
Identification of contaminants
Characteristics of a surface quantitatively
Mapping of different components in composite materials
Differentiating regions of high and low surface adhesion or hardness
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AFM advantages
AFM allows the structure to be visualized via nanoscale topography of the surface
Without the need for extensive sample preparation or vacuum environment.
AFM can be used to detect physical properties locally on a molecular scale
Samples can be studied in their native environment
High-contrast and high-resolution images
Versatile analytical tool
2D and 3D topography of samples surface
AFM can be performed in a vacuum, ambient, gas or liquid environment