title: In situ imaging of multiphase bio-interfaces at the micro-/nanoscale.
abstract: The multiphase bio-interfacial system constituted by biological surfaces and their surrounding environment is usually considered to be an essential clue for exploring the mysterious relationship between surface architecture and function. As a visualizing method to understand these systems, in situ imaging of multiphase interfaces (e.g., air/liquid/solid and oil/water/solid systems) at the micro-/nanoscale, still remains a huge challenge, as a result of their heterogeneity and complexity. Here, recent progress on real-space micro-/nanoscale imaging of multiphase bio-interfacial systems is reviewed; this includes several techniques and imaging results on bio-interfaces, such as the lotus leaf, fish scale, living cell's surface, and fresh tissue surface. The results evidently show that interfacial structures have a significant impact on the state of the microscopic multiphase interface, further influencing specific functions. Based on this research, technical innovations, some more complicated multiphase interface systems, and structure-function coupling mechanism are proposed.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Peipei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D049329:Nanostructures; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties