Nanomechanical Force Gauge

Without using laser and optical detection method in AFM, direct force measurements of biomolecular interactions in biological solution are accomplished by nanomechanical force gauge. The force gauge consists of integrated nanoscale single crystal Si cantilever and reading scales, which allow the direct measurements of biomolecular interactions by reading the deflection of the cantilever with a microscope. The spring constant of the cantilever was calibrated by measuring the resonant frequency under electrostatic force excitation, and the minimum value among the designed devices shows 78.6 pN/µm. The dissociation forces between a biotinylated bead and avidins in an aqueous solution were directly measured with the force gauge.

Direct force measurements of biomolecular interactions in biological solution can be conducted without using laser and optical detectors like in the case of AFM. This nanomechanical force gage (NFG) consists of integrated nanoscale single crystal Si cantilever and reading scales, which allow the direct measurements of biomolecular interactions by reading the deflection of the cantilever with a microscope.

References:

1. K. H. Jeong, M. Pio, C. G. Keller, and L. P. Lee, Piconewton Regime. Measurements of Biomolecular Interactions by Nanomechanical Force Gauge, IEEE NANO 2003 Washington DC.