Mercury sessile drop, compressible

The concept of molecular vise using a compressible mercury sessile drop is described. This drop represents a micro-Langmuir-Blodgett experiment in which thin films of adsorbates can be examined in various stages of surface compression. The macroscopic phase transitions of an octanethiol surface film during the compression/expansion regime are observed visually, and STM images of the mercury/air interface are obtained before and after thiol deposition. 

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