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Instrument & tool development

We develop cutting-edge techniques and methodologies to advance high-resolution imaging and nanoscale characterisation through new hardware, sample environment development and modes of operation across a range of techniques. We work at the cutting edge of high resolution non-contact atomic force microscopy (ncAFM) techniques in UHV, with a focus on interactions at the single atom/single molecule level.

Example Project areas include:

The extension of ncAFM techniques to measure friction forces in single atom junctions, and the functionalisation of probe tips with single novel molecules to probe complex inter-molecular forces such as hydrogen and halogen bonding

We are building new high-speed (>100 kHz) florescence microscopes with single-molecule sensitivity, that push the temporal resolution of live-cell imaging to gain insight into: (1) Immune cell behaviour; (2) Single-molecule flow cytometry and (3) Behaviour of blood cells under high shear flow.

We are developing atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques in terms of increasing spatial and temporal resolution to capture structural dynamics and interactions of single proteins, lipid membranes and other molecular systems.

We are developing new sample environments which enable in situ characterisation of structure and mechanics on the molecular and nanoscale, including in situ network formation using small angle scattering and rheology.

Academics working in this area:

  • High resolution non-contact atomic force microscopy techniques in UHV (Adam Sweetman)
  • High speed atomic force microscopy (George Heath)
  • High-speed (>100 kHz) florescence microscopes with single-molecule sensitivity (Aleks Ponjavic)
  • Large depth-of-field super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (Aleks Ponjavic)
  • Single-molecule flow cytometry (Aleks Ponjavic)
  • Behaviour of blood cells under high shear flow (Aleks Ponjavic Steve Evans)
  • In situ rheology and small angle x-ray and neutron scattering (Lorna Dougan)
  • Overcoming sample preparation challenges for cryo-SEM studies of biopolymer hydrogels (Lorna Dougan)