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The soft-membrane surface forces apparatus
Ilyes Jalisse1, Aditya Jha2, Lionel Buisson1
1Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CRPP, UMR 5031, F-33600 Pessac, France.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|April 1, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a modified surface forces apparatus to measure forces on compliant membranes. The new device accurately characterizes membrane rheology and electrostatic interactions without external springs.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Compliant walls are prevalent in biological and engineering systems.
- Studying their rheological properties requires specialized tools.
- Membranes serve as model systems for compliant boundaries due to their slenderness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an adapted instrument for measuring forces on compliant membranes.
- To characterize the rheological properties of suspended membranes.
- To accurately measure electrostatic interactions between polarized membranes and electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Modification of a surface forces apparatus (SFA).
- Measurement of membrane deformation fields to infer forces.
- Direct measurement of electrostatic interactions without an external spring.
Main Results:
- The modified SFA can accurately measure forces acting on compliant membranes.
- Rheological properties of suspended membranes were characterized.
- Electrostatic interactions between a polarized membrane and a spherical electrode were quantified.
Conclusions:
- The developed instrument provides a novel method for studying compliant boundaries.
- This technique allows for precise rheological and electrostatic characterization of membranes.
- The device eliminates the need for external measurement springs, simplifying experiments.
