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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Probing Surface Electrochemical Activity of Nanomaterials using a Hybrid Atomic Force Microscope-Scanning Electrochemical Microscope (AFM-SECM)
Published on: February 10, 2021
Electromechanical imaging of biomaterials by scanning probe microscopy
B J Rodriguez1, S V Kalinin, J Shin
1Condensed Matter Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. rodriguezbj@ornl.gov
Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) enables high-resolution nanoscale imaging of biological tissues. This technique visualizes intricate protein structures in materials like teeth, offering new insights into tissue functionality.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Calcified and connective tissues have complex hierarchical structures.
- Understanding biological function requires nanoscale structural imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate electromechanical imaging of biological samples using PFM.
- To achieve high-resolution imaging of biopolymer structures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM).
- Leveraged intrinsic piezoelectricity of biopolymers (proteins, polysaccharides).
- Applied to various protein-based materials: tooth, antler, cartilage.
Main Results:
- Achieved nanostructural imaging across length scales (microns to nanometers).
- Visualized protein fibrils in human tooth with sub-10nm resolution.
- Demonstrated PFM's capability on diverse biological samples.
Conclusions:
- PFM is a versatile tool for micro- and nanostructural imaging.
- Applicable to both connective and calcified biological tissues.
- Highlights the utility of piezoelectricity in biological systems for imaging.
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