An Atomic Force Microscope with Dual Actuation Capability for Biomolecular Experiments.
We report a modular atomic force microscope (AFM) design for biomolecular experiments. The AFM head uses readily available components and incorporates deflection-based optics and a piezotube-based cantilever actuator. Jetted-polymers have been used in the mechanical assembly, which allows rapid manufacturing. In addition, a FeCo-tipped electromagnet provides high-force cantilever actuation with vertical magnetic fields up to 0.55 T. Magnetic field calibration has been performed with a micro-hall sensor, which corresponds well with results from finite element magnetostatics simulations. An integrated force resolution of 1.82 and 2.98 pN, in air and in DI water, respectively was achieved in 1 kHz bandwidth with commercially available cantilevers made of Silicon Nitride. The controller and user interface are implemented on modular hardware to ensure scalability. The AFM can be operated in different modes, such as molecular pulling or force-clamp, by actuating the cantilever with the available actuators. The electromagnetic and piezoelectric actuation capabilities have been demonstrated in unbinding experiments of the biotin-streptavidin complex.
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bogazici University, Bebek 34342 Istanbul, Turkey.
Semih
S
Sevim
Multi Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
Naveen
N
Shamsudhin
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bogazici University, Bebek 34342 Istanbul, Turkey.
Sevil
S
Ozer
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bogazici University, Bebek 34342 Istanbul, Turkey.
Luying
L
Feng
Aeon Scientific AG, Schlieren, 8952, Zurich, Switzerland.
Arielle
A
Fakhraee
Multi Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
Olgaç
O
Ergeneman
Multi Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
Salvador
S
Pané
Multi Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
Bradley J
BJ
Nelson
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bogazici University, Bebek 34342 Istanbul, Turkey.|Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Bogazici University, Kandilli 34684 Istanbul, Turkey.
Hamdi
H
Torun
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001710:Biotin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D059346:Magnets; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C066114:biotin-streptavidin complex; D001710:Biotin