Molecular adhesion sensor

Therefore, Binnig, Quate and Gerber devised the atomic force microscope (AFM) shown schematically in Fig. 3.17. The probe was now much smaller and lighter so as to detect the molecular adhesion forces. These forces caused a slight movement of the probe which could be observed by several different sensor methods. However, laser deteetion, as shown in Fig. 3.17, turned out to be most convenient. Small silicon cantilever probes were made by etching a silicon wafer. Laser light was reflected from the top of the silicon cantilever probe, and entered a detector where any deflection could be registered. 

Some researchers see a bright future for dendrimers in many different industrial, medical, research, and consumer applications. One company that produces dendrimers lists applications in drug delivery systems, gene transfection, biotechnology, sensors for diagnostics and detection systems, carbon fiber coatings, microcontact printing, adhesion, molecular batteries, catalysis, separation systems, lasers, composites, and ultrathin films used in optics. 

Biomaterials. Adsorbed polymers find many apphcations as surface modifiers in biomedical apphcations. By choosing a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic copolsrmers, surfaces can be modified to make them biocompatible (65) (see Biomolecules at Interfaces). In the area of tissue engineering (qv), adsorbed layers with specihc amino acid sequences can be used to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. The recent developments in the design of biochips to analyze specihc DNA molecules also take advantage of this technology. Polymer adsorption on patterned surfaces can be used to mimic pattern recognition. This effect can be used to develop sensors and molecular-scale separation processes (66). 

Intermolecular and surface forces embrace all forms of matter. Understanding their nature is of great scientific interest and relevant for a wide range of applications. These include stabilization (or destabilization) of colloids, design of molecular sensors, modification of liquid flow in narrow gaps, slow release and dmg delivery, adhesion, friction, and lubrication. - "... 

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