Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Evolution of N-terminal mechanical lability as a determinant for Type III secretion.

Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society·2026

Same author

Polymer Corona Architecture Modulates Nanoparticle-Bacteria Interactions and Photothermal Antibacterial Activity of Polydopamine Nanoparticles.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2026

Same author

Modeling cancer with bacteria-integrated tumor microenvironments using biomaterials: Emerging concepts and opportunities.

Materials today. Bio·2026

Same author

Brain-wide topographic coordination of rotating waves.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Force-Induced Ankle Opening Reveals Mechanical Stabilization of the Ankle of Human β-Cardiac Myosin.

ACS nano·2026

Same author

Percutaneous Screw Fixation of Scaphoid Nonunion Without Bone Grafting.

Hand (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

High-Speed Magnetic Tweezers for Nanomechanical Measurements on Force-Sensitive Elements

High-Speed Magnetic Tweezers for Nanomechanical Measurements on Force-Sensitive Elements

Published on: May 12, 2023

Atomic force microscopy with sub-picoNewton force stability for biological applications.

Ruby May A Sullan¹, Allison B Churnside, Duc M Nguyen

¹JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.

Methods (San Diego, Calif.)

|April 9, 2013

Summary

Researchers achieved sub-piconewton (pN) force precision and stability in atomic force microscopy (AFM) using uncoated cantilevers. This breakthrough enhances biological imaging and single-molecule force spectroscopy performance.

More Related Videos

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Published on: July 10, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

High-Speed Magnetic Tweezers for Nanomechanical Measurements on Force-Sensitive Elements

High-Speed Magnetic Tweezers for Nanomechanical Measurements on Force-Sensitive Elements

Published on: May 12, 2023

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Published on: July 10, 2019

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Materials Science

Background:

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is crucial in biological sciences.
Current AFM modes (imaging, force spectroscopy) suffer from poor force precision and stability.
Previous work focused on tip-sample stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To achieve sub-piconewton (pN) force precision and stability in bioAFM.
To identify limitations in current AFM cantilever technology.
To demonstrate improved performance using modified cantilevers.

Main Methods:

Utilized commercial AFM instruments and cantilevers.
Investigated the impact of gold coatings on cantilever performance.
Compared smaller, stiffer cantilevers with standard ones.
Employed uncoated cantilevers for enhanced measurements.

Main Results:

Achieved sub-pN force precision and stability under biologically relevant conditions (liquid, room temperature).
Identified gold coatings as a limiting factor for force precision and stability.
Found that smaller, stiffer cantilevers did not improve precision beyond 25 ms timescales.
Demonstrated enhanced force spectroscopy and imaging with uncoated cantilevers.

Conclusions:

Sub-pN force stability is routinely achievable with commercial AFM systems using uncoated cantilevers.
Nonspecific biomolecular attachments limit high-precision studies.
Site-specific covalent immobilization is recommended for advanced AFM applications.