Real-Time Atomic Force Microscope for Life Sciences

Nano- and biotechnology are very important areas of current research in the broad field of life sciences. Imaging and handling of biological material on the molecular level require methods that provide a spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit of light microscopy. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has become the most important tool to address the nanometer scale and is used for imaging applications as well as for surface characterization, lithography, data storage, and handling of nanometer sized particles. But the advantage of highest resolution is diminished by the slow imaging speed. A crucial issue in AFM development is to increase the speed, which is limited by the dynamic behavior of the moving parts. In this project the research focuses on key challenges for the next generation of AFMs that can be used for real- time imaging, i.e. at several images per second. The aim is to develop a new mechanical design that is optimized for a high imaging speed, which will be increased further by utilizing modern model-based control techniques. To achieve this highly ambitious goal one has to consider all available information about the operated system. On the one hand, this is given by a priori information on the AFM system, such as knowledge about the system dynamics and operation mode. On the other hand, one also has to consider information that is received during the experiment, e.g. the structure and properties of the imaged sample. These new instruments will enable new applications in nano- and biotechnology, life science, and nanorobotics. A very important application already will be addressed during the planned project by observing mechanical failure modes in human bone tissue in order to understand the primary deficiency in osteoporotic bone.