MRI: Acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope for Force Measurement, Single-Molecule Manipulation and Other Applications

该奖项得到了重大研究仪器(MRI)和化学仪器和设施(CRIF)计划的支持。密歇根理工大学的Jaroslaw Drelich教授和他的同事们正在获得一台原子力显微镜(AFM)。原子力显微镜是一种观察表面单分子的强大工具。它通过连接在一个极其柔软的悬臂上的原子尖端工作，该悬臂可以感知微小原子水平的力(皮牛顿力)。利用针尖和分子之间的力，原子力显微镜甚至可以用来操纵单个分子将它们移动到所需的位置。利用这些信息，项目可以测量单个共价键的机械强度。这可以导致实际应用，例如，制备更好的快速响应和防潮的智能粘合剂。可以研究土木工程应用材料之间的粘附力。AFM的这项研究将在健康、能源、环境和国家安全，甚至经济等领域产生广泛影响。密歇根理工学院至少16个研究小组的教师、博士后研究人员、研究生和本科生都接受了使用这种强大仪器的培训。这种原子力显微镜通过测量尖端和表面之间的范德华和磁力；分子和尖端之间非共价相互作用的断裂力，以及锚定在尖端和表面之间的分子中的共价键的断裂力，来加强该领域的研究和教育。项目的应用包括实时监测酶的催化作用，以及对生物细胞进行表面电荷显微镜检查。该显微镜用于研究快速反应和防潮的智能粘合剂，以及土木工程应用中材料之间的粘合力。在其他项目中，研究了大气颗粒物的形状和表面特征以及黑碳的大气处理。对蛋白多糖-Galectin-3交联物的晶格结构进行了成像，并测量了Galectin-3的配体结合力。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and the Chemistry Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) programs. Professor Jaroslaw Drelich from Michigan Technological University and colleagues are acquiring an atomic force microscope (AFM). An AFM is a powerful tool to look at single molecules on a surface. It operates through an atomically sharp tip attached to an extremely soft cantilever that can sense forces at tiny atomic levels (pico-newton forces). Utilizing the forces between tip and a molecule, AFM can even be used to manipulate single molecules moving them to desired locations. Using this information, projects measure the mechanical strength of single covalent bonds. This can lead to practical applications, for example, preparing better quick-response and moisture-resistant smart adhesives. Adhesion forces between materials for civil engineering application can be investigated. The research enabled by the AFM will have broad impacts in areas such as health, energy, environment and national security, and even the economy. Faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers in at least 16 research groups at Michigan Tech are trained to use this powerful instrument.This atomic force microscope enhances research and education in areas by measuring van der Waals and magnetic forces between the tip and surface; the rupture force of non-covalent interactions between molecules and tip, and the scission force of covalent bonds in a molecule anchored between the tip and surface. Applications to projects include monitoring enzyme catalysis in real-time, and performing surface charge microscopy of biological cells. The microscope is used in the study of quick-response and moisture-resistant smart adhesives, and adhesion forces between materials for civil engineering applications. In other projects the shape and surface characteristics of atmospheric particles and atmospheric processing of black carbon are studied. The lattice structures of proteoglycan-galectin-3 cross-linked complexes are imaged and the ligand binding force of galectin-3 is measured.