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

Comparative molecular dynamics simulations of charged solid-liquid interfaces with different water models.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2026

Same author

Stretching and Compressing Capillary Bridges on Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, and Liquid-Infused Surfaces.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2026

Same author

Interactions of nanoparticles with living and synthetic bio-membranes.

Chemical Society reviews·2025

Same author

Interfacial Self-Assembly of Sugars at Nanoscale Membranes Leads to Micron-Scale, Spectroscopically Ice-Like Chiral Suprastructures of Water.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2025

Same author

Gold Nanoparticle Adsorption and Uptake are Directed by Particle Capping Agent.

Small science·2025

Same author

A Minimalist Model Lipid System Mimicking the Biophysical Properties of <i>Escherichia coli</i>'s Inner Membrane.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Published on: December 20, 2016

High-resolution AFM in liquid: what about the tip?

Kislon Voïtchovsky¹

¹Physics Department, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.

|February 18, 2015

Summary

Stable hydration sites on Atomic Force Microscopy tips are crucial for high-resolution imaging in aqueous solutions. A simple preparation method creates these sites, preventing contaminants and improving measurement control.

Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Surface Science
Microscopy

Background:

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) utilizes a nanoscale tip for high-resolution imaging and probing.
The precision of AFM measurements is highly dependent on the tip apex's geometry and chemical properties, posing control challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of hydration sites at the AFM tip apex in achieving high-resolution images.
To develop a method for creating and maintaining stable hydration sites on AFM tips.

Main Methods:

Investigated AFM measurements in aqueous solutions on flat samples.
Developed a preparation strategy for commercial AFM tips to create stable hydration sites.
Analyzed the impact of these hydration sites on image resolution and measurement control.

More Related Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Published on: February 27, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Published on: December 20, 2016

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Published on: February 27, 2015

Main Results:

The presence of stable hydration sites at the tip apex is essential for high-resolution AFM imaging in aqueous environments.
A straightforward tip preparation technique effectively creates these hydration sites, preventing contaminant buildup.
This method enhances the control over tip-sample interactions, leading to improved measurement fidelity.

Conclusions:

Stable hydration sites are a key factor in optimizing AFM performance for high-resolution imaging in aqueous solutions.
The presented preparation strategy offers a practical approach to control tip apex properties and minimize measurement interference.
These findings pave the way for more reliable and controllable nanoscale measurements using Atomic Force Microscopy.