Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGBHuman 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
Examples for atomic force microscopy (AFM)
Liquid-liquid interface
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.
Various blood components
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.
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.
Illustration of a human skin cell.
a) Cytoplasmic extension
b) Nuclear area
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.
Gas exchange and water vapor release in plants occurs through the stomata mechanism.
Roughness analysis
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 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.
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.
Application:
Coating of membranes for chiral separation.