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Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays...Mon Dec 16 2019

New post - Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays with intrinsic and extrinsic defects (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/magnetic-reversal-in-perpendic…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog.
Defects can significantly affect performance of nanopatterned magnetic devices, therefore their influence on the material properties has to be understood well before the material is used in technological applications. However, this is experimentally challenging due to the inability of the control of defect characteristics in a reproducible manner.*

In “Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays with intrinsic and extrinsic defects» Michal Krupinski, Pawel Sobieszczyk, Piotr Zieliński and Marta Marszałek construct a micromagnetic model, which accounts for intrinsic and extrinsic defects associated with the polycrystalline nature of the material and with corrugated edges of nanostructures.*

The findings described in their article show that magnetic properties and domain configuration in nanopatterned systems are strongly determined by the defects, the heterogeneity of the nanostructure sizes and edge corrugations, and that such imperfections play a key role in the processes of magnetic reversal.*

The magnetic imaging described in the article cited above was performed using NanoWorld MFMR AFM probes for magnetic force microscopy (MFMR). https://www.nanoworld.com/pointprobe-magnetic-force-microsc…

Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ferromagnetism #MagneticProperties #AtomicForceMicroscopy

Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at...Wed Dec 11 2019

Published new post (Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at the hexadecane-steel interface) on NANOSENSORS Blog

Carbon-based layers play an important role in boundary lubrication, from graphite as commercial solid lubricant in a spray can over diamond-like carbon coatings in automotive industries all the way to graphitic layers found in metal-metal hip implants. With increasing availability of graphene, the two-dimensional building block of graphite, its possible role in lubrication is being explored. *

After the discovery of friction and wear reduction on steel surfaces by graphene in a variety of environments, graphene is now emerging as new lubricant. Polymer composites with graphene exhibit improved tribological properties due to wear reduction by efficient transfer layers. The composite approach has been successfully extended to multilayers of polymer and graphene. The use of graphene as additive in formulated lubricant oils is also promising after functionalization to improve solubility. *

In their letter “Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at the hexadecane-steel interface” G. Krämer, C. Kim, K-S. Kim and R. Bennewitz report experimental results for fundamental lubrication properties of the interface between a hexadecane model lubricant and a steel surface modified by a single layer graphene. Using high-resolution force microscopy, they quantify that the reduction of friction on graphene is connected to an ordered layer of adsorbed hexadecane molecules and that the graphene induces an ordering in molecular layers in the confined liquid above graphene patches. *

A single layer of graphene on steel surfaces causes a change in the near-surface structure of the model lubricant hexadecane. Hexadecane adsorbs in an ordered layer aligned straight molecules, and this layer is stable under scanning in contact with the tip of an atomic force microscope, while no such layer is observed on the steel substrate. Graphene and hexadecane layer reduce friction at the nanoscale by a factor of three compared to the bare steel in hexadecane. *

All AFM measurements described in this letter were performed using a NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-CONTR AFM probe at room temperature with a home-built fluid cell where the cantilever was fully immersed in hexadecane.* https://www.nanosensors.com/pointprobe-plus-contact-mode-af…

Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #graphene #hexadecane #polymers #lubricants #AFM

Flexible Robust and High‐Density FeRAM from Array of Organic Ferroelectric Nano‐Lamellae by Self‐AssemblyTue Dec 10 2019

New post - Flexible Robust and High‐Density FeRAM from Array of Organic Ferroelectric Nano‐Lamellae by Self‐Assembly (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/flexible-robust-and-high%e2%80…/) has been published on NanoWorld® Blog. Ferroelectric memories are endowed with high data storage density by nanostructure designing, while the robustness is also impaired. For organic ferroelectrics favored by flexible memories, low Curie transition temperature limits their thermal stability.* In their article “Flexible Robust and High‐Density FeRAM from Array of Organic Ferroelectric Nano‐Lamellae by Self‐Assembly “ Mengfan Guo, Jianyong Jiang, Jianfeng Qian, Chen Liu, Jing Ma, Ce‐Wen Nan and Yang Shen demonstrate that a ferroelectric random access memory ( FeRAM ) with high thermal stability and data storage density of ≈60 GB inch−2 could be achieved from an array of edge‐on nano‐lamellae by low‐temperature self‐assembly of P(VDF‐TrFE).* The self‐assembled P(VDF‐TrFE) described in the article exhibits high storage density of 60 GB inch−2 as a prototype of flexible FeRAM. The authors experimentally determine the self‐assembled FeRAM stored data more robustly, with temperature endurance enhanced over 10 °C and reliable thermal cycling ability. The article shows a novel path to address the thermal stability issues in organic FeRAMs and presents a detailed analysis about the origin of enhanced performance in aligned P(VDF‐TrFE). * NanoWorld® Arrow-CONTPt AFM probes with a conducting Pt/Ir coating were used for the Piezoresponse Force Microscopy ( PFM ) measurements described in this article.https://www.nanoworld.com/contact-mode-platinum-coated-afm-… Please have a look at the NanoWorld® blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #ferroelectrics #polymers #materialsresearch #AFMprobes

Thank you all for visiting our NanoAndMore USA booth 612 MRS Fall Exhibit 2019Fri Dec 06 2019

Last chance to secure your free NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings and free NanoWorld Arrow-NCR AFM ProbesThu Dec 05 2019

Last chance to secure your free NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings and free NanoWorld Arrow-NCR #AFMprobes sample today from 10:00 am—1:30 pm @NanoAndMore USA booth no. 612 @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019 #atomicforcemicroscopy #F19MRS #materialsscience

Get your free NANOSENSORS™ Fun Grating at booth 612 at MRS Fall 2019Wed Dec 04 2019

Published new post (Get your free NANOSENSORS Fun Grating at booth 612 at MRS Fall 2019) on NANOSENSORS™ Blog Next year NANOSENSORS™ will celebrate its 30th anniversary. We are starting off the celebrations by giving away NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings especially created for this occasion at NanoAndMore USA booth no. 612 @Materials_MRS Fall Exhibit 2019 this week. https://www.nanosensors.com/fungrating Pick up your grating, switch on the AFM, start scanning, discover the images that are hidden in the grating and celebrate 30 years of NANOSENSORS™ high quality AFM probes with us. Pick up NANOSENSORS™ Fun Gratings at NanoAndMore USA booth #ScanningProbeMicroscopy #AFM #nanotechnology

Get 5 FREE NanoWorld™ Arrow-NCR AFM probes at booth 612 MRS Fall ExhibitWed Dec 04 2019

The MRS Fall 2019 exhibit will be open today from 11 amTue Dec 03 2019

We are often asked whether our ElectriCont-G probes are suitable for Conductive AFMMon Dec 02 2019

MRS Fall Exhibit 2019 in BostonMon Dec 02 2019

Is it just us or does the OPUS 160AC-NA tapping probe resemble a pecking woodpecker?Mon Nov 25 2019

Is it just us or does the OPUS 160AC-NA tapping probe resemble a pecking woodpecker? And if you do not hear the pecking while scanning… well, the oscillation amplitude is not high enough. Just kidding!

https://www.opustips.com/en/afm-tip-160ac-na

cdS quantum dots-based immunoassay combined with particle imprinted polymer technology and laser ablation icp-MS as a versatile tool for protein detectionMon Nov 25 2019

cdS quantum dots-based immunoassay combined with particle imprinted polymer technology and laser ablation icp-MS as a versatile tool for protein detection on NANOSENSORS Blog The molecularly imprinted polymer ( MIP ) technology is currently experiencing a rapid development due to the limitations of natural recognition elements such antibodies or aptamers.* However, neither MIP strategies are limitless. Therefore, the combination of these powerful tools in a specific immunoassay may bring highly selective approach.* In their article “cdS quantum dots-based immunoassay combined with particle imprinted polymer technology and laser ablation icp-MS as a versatile tool for protein detection” Tereza Vaneckova, Jaroslava Bezdekova, Michaela Tvrdonova, Marcela Vlcnovska, Veronika Novotna, Jan Neuman, Aneta Stossova, Viktor Kanicky, Vojtech Adam, Marketa Vaculovicova and Tomas Vaculovic introduce a MIP-based pseudo-immunoassay using NP-labelled antibody recognition and couple it with the sensitive detection technique laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ( LA-ICP-MS ).* Two approaches of specific recognition were tested. The first one was based on the immunolabelling of the analyte captured by the MIP layer. The second approach involved immunolabelling of the analyte as a first step and the resulting QD-AB-AG complex was captured by MIP and further analyzed. The double-selective approach comprising of the specific immunolabelling reaction combined with isolation by MIP together with the LA-ICP-MS detection represents a viable approach of the IgG detection from a complex sample (LOD 4.2 μg and 1.6 μg, respectively) available for many exciting applications. Considering the overall time of the LA-ICP-MS analysis not exceeding 23 s (scan speed of 2000 μm/s), LA-ICP-MS is a promising technology to be used in future in conjunction with MIP technology.* The sample surface was analyzed using SEM with integrated AFM. Correlative Probe and Electron Microscopy (CPEM)48 was used for the surface analysis allowing simultaneous acquisition of SEM and AFM images at the same place in the same coordinate system. The SEM contrast is sensitive to the sample composition, while the AFM provides real surface topography. The accelerating voltage of 5 kV, beam current of 13 pA and SE detector was used for SEM imaging.* NANOSENSORS self-sensing self-actuating Akiyama probes in tapping mode were used for the AFM measurement. https://www.akiyamaprobe.com/ Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article.#immunochemistry #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM

What are NANOSENSORS™ Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors (MSS) for R&D in gas/odor sensing?Thu Nov 21 2019

The video on NANOSENSORS™ Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors (MSS) for olfactory sensing has just passed the 1000 views mark. Thank you all for watching. https://youtu.be/JP_VoLrGVXs The NANOSENSORS™ Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensor – MSS is a non-packaged MEMS sensor, a silicon membrane platform supported with four beams on which piezoresistors are embedded. It is mainly dedicated to R&D in the areas of olfactory sensing and electronic noses. There are currently two major applications for this type of sensor: the MSS has a great potential as a core component for electronic (artificial) nose systems / olfactory sensing systems utilized in e.g., medical, food, environment, safety and security fields. the MSS can also be used for assessment of various materials like organic conductors, magnetic and superconductor materials in torque magnetometry. To find out more please have a look at the video or at the NANOSENSORS™ MSS webpage. https://www.mss-sensor.com/ https://www.nanosensors.com/…/video-on-nanosensors-membran…/ #MSS #ENose #OlfactorySystem

Electrodeposition of 4-Benzenesulfonic Acid onto a Graphite-Epoxy...Tue Nov 19 2019

Caffeine is widely present in food and drinks, such as teas and coffees, being also part of some currently commercialized medicines, but despite its enhancement on several functions of human body, its exceeding use can promote many health problems.* The paper... #AFMcantilever #AFMProbes #AFMTips

Cellulose carbamate derived cellulose thin films: preparation, characterization and blending with cellulose xanthateMon Nov 18 2019

New post - Cellulose carbamate derived cellulose thin films: preparation, characterization and blending with cellulose xanthate (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/cellulose-carbamate-derived-ce…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog. Despite being rather old, the Viscose process still is the most important and frequently used technology for the production of regenerated wood based fibers with annual production volumes exceeding 3.5 million tons, mainly for the textile industry.* However, there are several environmental drawbacks of this technology. For instance, the necessity to use CS2 to form the cellulose precursor material (cellulose xanthate, CX), as well as the development of volatile sulfur containing compounds (e.g. H2S, COS) during the regeneration procedure requires complex recovery technologies, which manifest into higher prices of the final fiber products.* Another technology that has raised attention in recent years is the Carbacell process. The Carbacell process relies on cellulose carbamate (CC), which is easily obtained by reacting cellulose with urea. CC is soluble in cold alkali and can be subjected to wet spinning processes similar to those in viscose plants.* In their article: “Cellulose carbamate derived cellulose thin films: preparation, characterization and blending with cellulose xanthate” Michael Weißl, Mathias Andreas Hobisch, Leena Sisko Johansson, Kay Hettrich, Eero Kontturi, Bert Volkert and Stefan Spirk introduce a new system for manufacturing cellulose thin films based on ecofriendly CC. * Since CC is water soluble, the use of organic solvents is omitted compared to the other often employed cellulose derivative, TMSC. In addition, CC can be synthesized in large scale via environmentally friendly procedures. The regeneration process itself does not require any additional treatment but is induced by increasing the NaOH concentration during the spin-coating via evaporation of the water, as confirmed by IR and XPS spectroscopy.* Atomic Force Microscopy in tapping mode using a NanoWorld Arrow-NCR AFM probe was employed to gain further information about the surface morphology and structure of the CC films. https://www.nanoworld.com/tapping-mode-reflex-coated-afm-ti… Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and for a direct link to the full scientific article. #Cellulose #ThinFilm #AFM

Tip wear and tip breakage in high-speed atomic force microscopesTue Nov 05 2019

High speed scanning (HSS) AFM tests with our ContDLC AFM probes at velocities up to 1mm/s demonstrate the high durability of our diamond-like carbon coated tips. Scanning hard surfaces with sharp, steep edges at ultrahigh scan rates increases the danger of sudden apex breakage due to sudden high lateral forces. So, please do not HSS our TipCheck! :) Learn more in this in-depth study published in the Ultramicroscopy journal. #AFMProbes #AtomicForceMicroscopy #HighSpeedScanning

Polymer interlayers on flexible PET substrates enabling ultra-high performance, ITO-free dielectric/metal/dielectric transparent electrodeSun Nov 03 2019

Published new post (Polymer interlayers on flexible PET substrates enabling ultra-high performance, ITO-free dielectric/metal/dielectric transparent electrode) on NANOSENSORS™ Blog In their article “Polymer interlayers on flexible PET substrates enabling ultra-high performance, ITO-free dielectric/metal/dielectric transparent electrode” Lukas Kinner, Martin Bauch, Rachmat Adhi Wibowo, Giovanni Ligorio, Emil J.W.List-Kratochvil and Theodoros Dimopoulos reports on the fabrication and properties of a dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD) transparent electrode on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate with polymer interlayers.* The presented electrode has a large potential for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications, outperforming the widely-used indium-tin-oxide (ITO) on flexible substrates.* The sample surfaces were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode with NANOSENSORS™ SuperSharpSilicon™ high resolution SSS-NCHR AFM probes.* https://www.nanosensors.com/supersharpsilicon-non-contact-t… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM #optoelectronics

Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic...Tue Oct 29 2019

New post - Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC (https://www.nanoworld.com/…/analysis-of-long-dsrna-produce…/) has been published on NanoWorld Blog.

Long double-stranded (ds) RNA is emerging as a novel alternative to chemical and genetically-modified insect and fungal management strategies. The ability to produce large quantities of dsRNA in either bacterial systems, by in vitro transcription, in cell-free systems or in planta for RNA interference applications has generated significant demand for the development and application of analytical tools for analysis of dsRNA.*

In their article “Analysis of long dsRNA produced in vitro and in vivo using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC” Alison O. Nwokeoji, Sandip Kumar, Peter M. Kilby, David E. Portwood, Jamie K. Hobbs and Mark J. Dickman have utilised atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with ion-pair reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC) to provide novel insight into dsRNA for RNAi applications.*

The AFM analysis enabled direct structural characterisation of the A-form duplex dsRNA and accurate determination of the dsRNA duplex length.*

The work presented in this study demonstrates the ability of AFM in conjunction with IP RP HPLC to rapidly assess sample heterogeneity and provide important structural information regarding dsRNA.*

For the high resolution images presented in Fig. 1(A, B) and 2(B) in the article NanoWorld Ultra-Short Cantilevers USC-F1.2-k0.15 with a High Density Carbon tip (nominal values: tip radius 10 nm, cantilever length 7 μm, stiffness 0.15 N m−1, resonant frequency 1200 kHz in air) were tuned to 600–650 kHz, oscillated at a free amplitude of <30 mV and scanned at a rate of 0.4–1.0 μm s−1,to visualize the dsRNA and dsDNA grooves.* https://www.nanoworld.com/Ultra-Short-Cantilevers-USC-F1.2-…
Please have a look at the NanoWorld blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article. #biophysics #atomicforcemicroscopy #RNA

Amplitude Dependence of Resonance Frequency and its Consequences for Scanning Probe MicroscopyMon Oct 28 2019

Visualizing the bidirectional optical transfer function for near-field enhancement in waveguide coupled plasmonic transducersTue Oct 22 2019

Published new post (Visualizing the bidirectional optical transfer function for near-field enhancement in waveguide coupled plasmonic transducers) on NANOSENSORS™ Blog In their article “Visualizing the bidirectional optical transfer function for near-field enhancement in waveguide coupled plasmonic transducers” Lauren M. Otto, D. Frank Ogletree, Shaul Aloni, Matteo Staffaroni, Barry C. Stipe and Aeron T. Hammack describe how visualizations of the near-field modes in the region of a plasmonic device were created using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy cathodoluminescence with both showing a strong correspondence to multiphysical numerical modeling of the devices under interrogation. The sSNOM measurements shown in this article were performed with NANOSENSORS™ AdvancedTEC™ ATEC-NC tip-view AFM probes.https://www.nanosensors.com/advanced-tip-at-the-end-of-the-… Please have a look at the NANOSENSORS™ blog for the full citation and a direct link to the full article.#ScatteringScanningNearFieldOpticalMicroscopy #AtomicForceMicroscopy #AFM