Dynamics and control of high-precision high-speed atomic force microscopy for protein analysis

自2010年以来，高级电泳解决方案有限公司(AES)一直在为蛋白质分析开发科学仪器和提供技术服务。他们基于全柱成像检测(WCID)的独一无二的CEInfined仪器已被世界各地的客户用于高性能、高通量、高分辨率和可重复的蛋白质分析。原子力显微镜(AFM)是一种用途广泛的技术，在蛋白质分析中的应用越来越广泛。高速原子力显微镜成像的工作范围非常适合于在分子和细胞水平上表征结构。目前，AES正在致力于将其高性能CEINFINE仪器与高精度高速原子力显微镜(HPHS-AFM)集成在一起。这一整合将提供创新的、全面的蛋白质分析。为了实现这一目标，需要开发与原子力显微镜(AFM)相关的几项关键技术，预计将通过NSERC的合作研究和开发(CRD)项目来实现这些目标。由于许多优点，压电驱动器是原子力显微镜纳米定位的关键元件。但由于其固有的非线性，如迟滞、蠕变、振动漂移、温度变化等，导致定位精度不高，运行速度较慢。本项目旨在为压电致动器的非线性建模和控制提供新的、逼真的方法。该项目的成功将使HPHS-AFM和CEINFINE的整合成为可能。它将增强AES在蛋白质分析方面的能力，并成为许多应用程序的此类服务的主要提供商。

Advanced Electrophoresis Solutions Ltd. (AES) has been developing scientific instruments and providing technical services for protein analysis since 2010. Their unique CEInfinite instruments, based on Whole Column Imaging Detection (WCID), have been used by clients worldwide for high performance, high throughput, high resolution, and reproducible protein analysis. Atomic force microscope (AFM) is a versatile technique that is being used increasingly in protein analysis. The operational range of high-speed AFM imaging is well suited for characterizing structures at the molecular and cellular levels. Currently, AES is working on integrating its high performance CEInfinite instruments with high-precision high-speed atomic force microscopy (HPHS-AFM). This integration will provide innovative, comprehensive protein analysis. In order to achieve this goal, several key technologies related to atomic force microscopy (AFM) will need to be developed and it is expected that these goals will be achieved through this NSERC Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) project.Piezoelectric actuators are the key elements for nanopositioning in AFMs due to many advantages. However, the inherent nonlinearities, such as hysteresis, creep, drifts due to vibration and temperature changes cause inaccuate positioning and low operation speed. This project aims to provide novel and realistic modeling and control approaches for nonlinearities of piezoelectric actuators. The success of this project will make the integration of HPHS-AFM and CEInfinite possible. It will enhance AES' capability in protein analysis and becomes the main provider of such services for many applications.