Precise measurements of capsule mechanical properties using indentation
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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
Published on: December 2, 2022
Joseph D Berry1, Srinivas Mettu1, Raymond R Dagastine1
1Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. joe.d.berry@gmail.com rrd@unimelb.edu.au and Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Abstract:
Application of elastic theory to experimental data of capsule and particle compression under-predicts the value of material properties such as the Young's modulus by up to 100% when the effect of the rigid substrate is neglected, as is commonly done in the literature. Results of numerical simulations, spanning the range from thin-shelled capsules to solid particles, are presented in terms of correction factors that account for the substrate. In addition, the scaling relationship between indentation force and displacement is characterised for arbitrary shell thicknesses and indenter radii.

