Supramolecular Structures of Self-Assembled Oligopeptides

Chemically-fuelled and activated amino acids form oligopeptides that self-assemble into supramolecular structures. Understanding their formation process and the interconversion between different supramolecular structures paves the way for the design of new bioinspired nanomaterials. Imaged with Cypher ES Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in Tapping Mode. Courtesy of the Group of B. N. Balzer, T. Hugel; Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg.

Conductive AFM Moiré of Twisted Trilayer graphene on hBN

By twisting stacked 2D materials with respect to one another, it is possible to alter their electronic properties and, thus, design novel devices for nanoelectronics. The strain from lattice mismatch between layers generates Moiré and super Moiré patterns, as shown here for twisted trilayer graphene on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Conductive image acquired on the Cypher L AFM. Courtesy of the Group of A. Young and Y. Choi, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).

Membrane Bound Mucins

Some cell types (e.g., epithelial cells) are typically covered by the glycocalyx, a dense, gel-like meshwork which acts as a protective physical barrier for the cells. Membrane-bound mucins (MBMs) are a major component of such coatings. Imaging MBMs and understanding of their glycosylated configuration can shed light on structure and environment of (epithelial) glycocalyx. Imaged with Cypher S Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in tapping mode. Courtesy of Jerome Carpenter; UNC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Marsico Lung Institute.​

Plant Cellulose

Cellulose is not only a fundamental structural component of cell walls in plants, but also important in the growing fields of tissue engineering, biomimetic materials, biorenewable materials. The characteristic hierarchical assembly of plant cellulose can be resolved by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM): from nanofibrils (3 nm wide) and microfibrils (10 nm wide) up to bundles (50-200 nm). Imaged with MFP-3D BIO in tapping mode (error/amplitude channel). Courtesy of Babi, McMaster University.

Reduced Electrolyte on HOPG

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized modern technology, as recognized by the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Solutions of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in carbonate blends (e.g., EC and DMC) can be employed as electrolytes in such battery systems. Deposited on a surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and imaged with Cypher ES Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in tapping mode. Courtesy of Sergey Luchkin; Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology.

Gypsum

Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) is a very common, soft sulfate mineral composed of hydrated calcium sulfate. Due to the solubility of gypsum in water, its surface is self-cleaning and can, thus, be robustly employed to demonstrate atomic resolution. Imaged with Cypher ES Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in tapping mode. ​