Combined Scanning Force - Super Resolution Fluorescence Microscope (AFM-SRFM)

软物质的研究和开发是亚琛工业大学的一个重要研究领域。有一个特别关注的复杂系统，揭示特征长度尺度< 1微米，这些结构特性涉及形态以及化学功能。这些软材料的一个特殊特征是它们能够适应环境。例如在接口处。我们申请一种结合了扫描力显微镜和荧光显微镜的显微镜。此外，它结合了超分辨率显微镜以及共焦显微镜与时间和光谱分辨率。这种显微镜将允许研究在界面处具有复杂结构的自适应软物质系统。一个特别的重点将是系统，包括不同的组件，如不同的微凝胶。独特的技术组合将使各种刺激的形态，粘弹性以及平行和垂直于界面的软物质的化学功能的影响原位调查。功能性微凝胶显示出非常特殊的性质，它将有可能研究纳米尺寸物体的“柔软性”对其个体变形，相互渗透以及如何影响整个层的影响。此外，将有可能开发具有应用的功能性涂层，例如，作为传感器或催化剂。该显微镜将促进CRC，Faculty 1和分子科学与工程领域的研究。它将大大扩展RWTH和邻近机构的现有设备。

Investigation and development of soft matter is an important field of research at RWTH Aachen University. There is a special focus on complex systems that reveal characteristic length scales < 1µm where these structural properties concern the morphology as well as chemical functionality. A particular feature of these soft materials is their ability to adapt to their environments as. e.g. at interfaces. We apply for a microscope that combines scanning force microscopy with fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, it combines super resolution microscopy as well as confocal microscopy with temporal and spectral resolution. This microscope will allow studying adaptive soft matter systems with complex structure at interfaces. A special focus will be on systems that consist of different components as, e.g. different microgels. The unique combination of techniques will enable in situ investigation of the influence of various stimuli on the morphology, viscoelastic properties as well as on the chemical functionality of soft matter both parallel and perpendicular to an interface. Functional microgels reveal very special properties it will become possible investigating the influence of “softness“ of nanometer-sized objects on their individuell deformation, interpenetration and how that influences the entire layer. Furthermore, it will be possible to develop functional coatings with applications, e.g., as sensors or in catalysis. The microscope will boost research within a CRC, Faculty 1 and the profile area Molecular Science & Engineering. It will significantly extend the current equipment at RWTH and neighbouring institutes.