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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation
Published on: January 18, 2022
Is it mathematically correct to fit AFM data (obtained on biological materials) to equations arising from Hertzian
S V Kontomaris1, A Stylianou2, A Georgakopoulos3
1BioNanoTec LTD, Nicosia, Cyprus; Metropolitan College, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
When testing soft biological samples using the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation method, the force-indentation data is usually fitted to the equations provided by Hertzian mechanics. Nevertheless, a significant question remains up to date; is this a correct approach from a mathematical perspective? Biological materials are heterogeneous, so 'what do we calculate' when using a classic fitting approach? In this paper, conclusive answers to the abovementioned questions are provided. In addition, a new tool for the nanomechanical characterization of biological samples, the depth-dependent mechanical properties maps, is introduced.
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