AFMWorkshop Offers Instrumentation and Training Materials to Educational Groups

One of our most popular instruments used in university settings is the TT-AFM. Because the TT-AFM is similar to 99% of the Atomic Force Microscopes used in research labs throughout the world, students can use skills developed on the TT-AFM to operate AFMs with more complex instrumentation.

On a TT-AFM, students learn how to operate all of the key modes such as contact, vibrating, lateral force, and phase modes. For example, the TT-AFM and AFMWorkshop was selected as instrument and trainer of choice by Hiroshi Yokoyama, Ph.D., director of Kent State University’s Glenn H. Brown Liquid Crystal Institute.

AFMWorkshop can work with your institution to create your own optimal training program.

AFM Training Programs

TT-2 Assembly Workshop

The ultimate in comprehensive knowledge of Atomic Force Microscope design and function can be gained through AFMWorkshop’s TT-AFM Assembly Workshop. Participants build their own AFM and participate in numerous workshops on AFM theory, operation, and applications. Attendees learn the components of an Atomic Force Microscope, how an AFM operates, key AFM design points, light lever design, scanner design/construction, and how to maximize image signal-to-noise ratio.

AFM Applications Workshop

AFMWorkshop’s five-day AFM Applications Workshop provides access to an AFM for each attendee for extensive hands-on labs. Participants spend time in group lectures on the theory of Atomic Force Microscopy, and put theory into practice by preparing and measuring images for a wide variety of metallurgic and life sciences samples. Participants have time for expert guidance in troubleshooting their particular applications.

For more information on creating a tailored workshop to meet your students’ needs, please contact AFMWorkshop.

Free Atomic Force Microscopy Webinars

AFMWorkshop provides a series of free live-streaming seminars for educators and professionals. Key skills to help all AFM users’ gain the most from their AFM are covered, including effective utilization of image processing software, techniques for successful sample preparation, detecting artifacts, and selecting the right probes. To view pre-recorded webinars, visit the AFMWorkshop Webinar Page.

Animated AFM Tutorials

Learning how an atomic force microscope works is an essential part of proper AFM training. AFMWorkshop provides a series of animations that illuminate key operating principles and efficiently introduce new users to Atomic Force Microscopes.

While minimal training is needed to measure basic AFM images, gaining optimal performance requires greater insight into the operating principles and design of atomic force microscopes. This depth of understanding is especially necessary when users need to measure high-quality images with only a few angstroms of resolution.

Concepts essential to understanding how to optimize AFM performance, such as the design of piezoelectric scanners, light lever design, probe sample interactions, and feedback control can be readily understood by the AFM user and are clearly illustrated in the AFMWorkshop Animated.

AFM Tutorials

Our tutorials act as a starting point for anyone interested in learning about the theory and operation of atomic force microscopes. For example, in the section of animations describing the “Design of the Light Lever AFM,” we:

  • First show that a photodetector can convert photons to electrical energy;
  • Then demonstrate how 2 photodetectors are used to create a position-sensitive detector;
  • Finally show how the motion of a cantilever is measured with a light lever.

Researchers, educators, and students around the globe have voiced their appreciation for the unique and immediately useful knowledge communicated through the AFMWorkshop animated tutorials.

Atomic Force Microscopy Textbook

The book Atomic Force Microscopy, written by Dr. Peter Eaton and Paul West and published by Oxford University Press, is available from Amazon.com, or Oxford University Press. Atomic Force Microscopy has become the leading text for AFM education and is a great resource for both professionals and students.

Presentations

AFMWorkshop customers have access to a complete library of PowerPoint® presentations, including over 500 slides on subjects ranging from AFM image analysis, instrument design, quantitative AFM measurements, and Atomic Force Microscope image artefacts. These presentations may be used for teaching courses to undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, a trained instructor from the AFMWorkshop is available to lead a three day course derived from these PowerPoint® presentations.

Training for AFM Success

Pick up any scientific journal or click through a website and you’ll see beautiful images produced by scientists and engineers on atomic force microscopes. What’s not so easy to see is the amount of time and effort that went into producing these amazing images.

Training, education, and time on the instrument are the keys to successful AFM imaging. Although basic operation of the instrument is straightforward, acquiring beautiful nano-scale images like those seen in scientific publications requires theoretical knowledge as well as actual practice time on the instrument.

AFMWorkshop is committed to helping our customers develop the strong AFM skill sets necessary to produce world-class AFM images.

To learn more about uses of Atomic Force Microscopy for Education, feel free to visit www.afmworkshop.com.

Uses of Atomic Force Microscope in Life Sciences Applications

Do you think it’s not possible to measure biological samples on nano scale? Actually, Atomic force microscopes are capable of making measurements on biological samples at the nanoscale that are difficult or even impossible with any other type of microscope. AFM allows the nanoscale imaging of soft biomaterials including cells and DNA in both ambient atmospheric conditions as well as liquid environments, Examples of biology applications which are unique to atomic force microscopes are as follows.

  1. Imaging Biomolecules

Atomic force microscopes are the only microscopes capable of imaging bio-molecules in ambient air as well as liquids.

Double-stranded DNA Molecules

Imaging of oligonucleotides can be used in a wide variety of applications, notably in structural studies, and in the study of interactions between the oligonucleotides and other molecules, such as enzymes.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)

Imaging of viruses is commonly carried out in structural studies. In addition, TMV is commonly used as an imaging standard since it has a highly conserved structure. Imaging high aspect ratio samples also helps to characterize tip sharpness.

High resolution imaging requires an instrument noise floor of less than 0.1nm, a good tip approach leading to the maintenance of a sharp tip, the capability to scan with very light forces, and placement of the microscope in an environment with minimal structural and acoustic vibrations.

Proper sample preparation is another critical factor. Sample preparation techniques are described in Atomic Force Microscopy by Eaton and West.

  1. Imaging Сells

Atomic force microscopy has a particular advantage over electron microscopy, in that cells and biomaterials can be imaged in partially or totally hydrated conditions including ambient air and liquid environments.

Parasites

Leishmania cells have been treated with an antimicrobial peptide, leading to highly roughened cell membranes, which can be measured and quantified by AFM.

Epithelial Cells

Measurement of high resolution images of cells in liquid (e.g., under physiological conditions) is another possibility unique to AFM, and can give much more relevant results than electron microscopy, which requires cell fixation, leading to artifacts.

Bacteria Spore Mutants

The ability to image a very large number of cells, allows the researcher to obtain statistically relevant information about a population of cells. Images of multiple cells can be also useful to assess inter-cellular effects, such as clustering and adhesion.

The inverted optical microscope facilitates direct placement of the probe on an area of interest for scanning. Additionally the inverted microscope can be operated in epifluorescence mode.

Are you looking for a microscope that fulfills all your research needs? If yes, then choose AFMWorkshop to buy Atomic Force Microscopes. AFMWorkshop is a renowned name in atomic force microscope manufacturers; they offer a wide variety of Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM’s) to suit every research needs.

For more information, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com.

Table Top Atomic Force Microscope for Demanding Applications

TT-2 AFM is a compact, second generation high resolution tabletop Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). It has all the important features and benefits expected from a light lever AFM. The TT-2 AFM includes a stage, control electronics, probes, manuals, and a video microscope.

Applications

Research

With over 200 TT-2 AFMs in laboratories throughout the world, researchers have published 100s of publications in all types of science and engineering journals.

Instrument Innovators

The TT-2 AFM serves as an ideal platform for creating new and innovative instruments. AFMWorkshop facilitates instrument innovation with an open architecture.

Education

With its open design the TT-2 is ideal for colleges and universities that teach students about AFM design, applications, and operation.

Key Features and Benefits of the TT-2 AFM

Low Noise Floor

With a noise floor <80 picometers, the TT-2 AFM is capable of measuring samples with features from nano-meters to microns.

Direct Drive Tip Approach

A linear motion stage moves the probe relative to the sample. The probe sample angle does not change, and samples of many thicknesses are readily scanned.

Research Grade Video Optical Microscope

With a mechanical 7:1 zoom and a resolution of 2 µm, the video optical microscope facilitates locating features, tip approach, and laser alignment.

Multiple Scanners

Linearized piezoelectric scanners with several ranges are available to optimize scanning conditions.

LabView Software

The TT-2 uses industry standard lab view software. For customization, the systems VI’s are readily available.

Modular Design

Once you buy the TT-2 AFM you can add options and modes such as focus assist, image logger, lithography and liquid scanning when you are ready.

Simple Probe Exchange

With the removable probe holder, exchanging probes is simple, and takes less than a minute.

Ligh Lever Large Adjustment Range

Because the TT-2 has a large adjustment range on the laser and photodetector, probes from all major manufacturers can be used.

To learn more, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com/.

Important Features of the B-AFM

Are you planning to buy the best quality B-AFM? If yes, then get in touch with AFMWorkshop.

B-AFM offered by AFMWorkshop is the ideal option for scientists with bigger ideas because of genuine pricing. User-Friendly design makes the B-AFM best for teaching the basics of AFM theory and operation to the students. The B-AFM is designed to obtain AFM images without expertise.

AFMWorkshop provides a 100% money-back guarantee and if their AFMs can’t run your application, they will refund the full purchase price. The complete B-AFM system includes the AFM stage, electronics, enclosure, computer and software.

Some of the features of the B-AFM are:

Sample Stage

The sample stage has an XY translation range of 6 mm X 6 mm and is used to select an area of interest on a sample for scanning. The controls for the positioner are conveniently located on the surface of the B-AFM stage, and the magnetic sample holder makes exchanging samples easy and intuitive.

Video Optical Microscope

For locating features on samples, aligning the light lever, and facilitating the probe approach, an LED video optical microscope is used. This optical microscope is all an AFM user needs to start scanning with 200X zoom, adjustable focus, and an LED illumination light.

Exchanging Samples

At the top of the piezoelectric stage, there is the magnetic sample holder that makes sample exchange a routine process. Samples are mounted onto metal disks and easily placed on the magnetic sample holder.

Enclosure

The front-opening enclosure of the B-AFM reduces both structural and acoustic vibrations that can affect the quality of AFM scans. It is made with high-density material and lined on the inside with noise-reducing foam.

Exchanging Probes

There is a removable probe holder with a spring action clamp that allows probe exchange to be done easily within one minute. A probe holder support is provided to store the probe holder when it is not in the AFM.

To buy the best quality product, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com/.

AFMWorkshop – A leading manufacturer for high value atomic force microscope

Being considered the leading manufacturer for high-value atomic force microscopes, AFMWorkshop works to design and manufacture high quality atomic force microscopes. Apart from this, it provides fundamental training to the customers. It ensures that the AFMs will run the application and in addition to this, the customer service provided by them is always there to help.

Looking for an atomic force microscope for research instruments? AFMWorkshop offers TT-2 AFM that includes an open architecture with unsurpassed flexibility. If you need a microscope for soft samples and biomaterials, LS-AFM is there for you at AFMWorkshop. Besides, if you are searching for a microscope for routine scanning and educational purposes, go for the newest model B-AFM.

AFMWorkshop offers in-house workshops as well as on-site training for each of their customers. They also offer tutorials on the website explaining the basic function of an atomic force microscope, as well as videos and webinars for further education. They ensure that their customers are fully prepared to operate their AFM successfully.

Being one of the confident atomic force microscope
companies, AFMWorkshop ensures customer satisfaction. Additionally, it builds AFMs with price and resolution in mind in order to increase the accessibility of AFMs. Believe it or not, atomic force microscope education is important as it helps students to get exposed to an atomic force microscope by showing them what an AFM looks like and how it operates. I0t helps to prepare students for a career in instrumentation design or instrument customer service. This is accomplished in part by helping students understand the design and construction of an Atomic Force Microscope. This group may include an additional category of researchers who intend to modify or repair their own instruments.

Struggling to find the best atomic force microscope manufacturer? Look no further with AFMWorkshop. To learn more, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com.

Choose AFMWorkshop to Buy Atomic Force Microscopes

When it comes to buying innovative Atomic Force Microscopes, researchers, educators, and engineers choose AFMWorkshop. Do you know why? Continue reading to know about AFMWorkshop Atomic Force Microscopes in detail.


Here are some of the reasons, why AFMWorkshop is the best choice:

Easily Add New Features

New features and options are developed often in the course of research. You can easily add new features to the AFM Workshop products. They offer a discount for products if they are able to develop a new feature. The feature can be offered for sale on their website, or shared with other customers on the Forum pages of their website.

Easy Customization

All instrumentation from the AFM Workshop allows customization of the products due to its open design. AFMWorkshop develops and manufactures innovative Atomic Force Microscopes for different fields. Furthermore, the AFM Workshop actively seeks collaborations with development labs, companies, and educational institutions.

Reasonable Prices

AFMWorkshop offer their products on their website and the products are manufactured and sold in reasonable volumes and prices.

OEM and VARs

If a company needs an AFM for a product and requires an AFM platform, they can work with them in customizing the instrumentation according to the product requirements. Furthermore, discount on instrumentation is available for volume purchases.

Teaching

If you would like to incorporate AFMWorkshop products into your teaching curriculum, they would be delighted to hear your ideas. They may be able to offer a discount for products that are used for teaching students about atomic force microscopes.

Contribution of AFM expertise

All the AFM Workshop employees have substantial experience with AFM design and instrumentation. They are willing to share the expertise to help you design new instrumentation or applications.

These are some of the reasons why you should choose AFMWorkshop to buy Atomic Force Microscopes. Indeed, AFMWorkshop is a renowned atomic force microscope manufacturer, they offer a wide variety of Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM’s) to suit every research needs. For more information, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com.

How to Make Measurements on Biological Samples

When it comes to making measurements on biological samples at the nanoscale, Atomic force microscopes are used. In both ambient atmospheric conditions as well as liquid environments, AFM allows the nanoscale imaging of soft biomaterials including cells and DNA.

Have a look at the biology applications, unique to atomic force microscopes:

Double-stranded DNA Molecules

Imaging of DNA of size 5 µm x 5 µm can be done easily. Imaging of oligonucleotides can be used in a wide variety of applications, notably in structural studies, and in the study of interactions between the oligonucleotides and other molecules, such as enzymes.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)

Imaging of Tobacco Mosaic Virus is commonly carried out in structural studies. Such high-resolution imaging requires an instrument noise floor of less than 0.1nm, a good tip approach leading to the maintenance of a sharp tip, the capability to scan with very light forces and placement of the microscope in an environment with minimal structural and acoustic vibrations. Furthermore, TMV is commonly used as an imaging standard since it has a highly conserved structure.

Parasites

Parasites of size 25 µm x 25µm can be measured in the air using AFM. These Leishmania cells have been treated with an antimicrobial peptide, leading to highly roughened cell membranes, which can be measured and quantified by AFM.

Epithelial Cells

Epitheleal cell of size 32 µm x 32 µm can be measured in liquid using Atomic Force Microscope. Measurement of high-resolution images of cells in a liquid (e.g., under physiological conditions) is another possibility unique to AFM and can give much more relevant results than electron microscopy, which requires cell fixation, leading to artifacts.

Atomic force microscopy has a particular advantage over electron microscopy, in that cells and biomaterials can be imaged in partially or totally hydrated conditions including ambient air and liquid environments.

Recommended AFM products for life sciences applications are TT-2 Atomic Force Microscope and LS-Atomic Force Microscope. To buy high-quality Atomic Force Microscope, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com/.

Different Types of Atomic Force Microscopes

As common these days, science has become increasingly reliant on Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). With help of AFM, researchers are focusing on the tiny particles that help to conduct research on misfolding diseases such as diabetes and tuberculosis. There are many achievements and progresses achieved by these microscopes. Some of the reliable Atomic Force Microscopes include:

B-AFM

The B-AFM is a complete system for routine scanning and education. B-AFM includes a computer with software, control electronics, and a stage; everything needed for AFM scanning. The electronics are located at the rear of the B-AFM stage, and only a single USB cable is connected between the computer and the stage.

The B-AFM has everything you need to perform routine scanning on a variety of samples for scientists and engineers with bigger ideas. Due to an intuitive design, this nanoscience instrument is ideal for education. The Basic Atomic Force Microscope is built with high quality material and it is the best option for scientists looking for routine sample scanning.

TT-2 AFM

TT-2 AFM is a second-generation tabletop Atomic Force Microscope and has all the important features and benefits expected from a light lever AFM.

TT-2 AFM can be used in many different fields. The Nanotechnology engineers/researchers, those want to do routine scanning of nano-structures can use the TT-2 AFM. Instrument innovators can use AFM as a platform to create a new instrument and educators can teach students about AFM construction, operation, and applications.

The TT-2 AFM Stage has excellent thermal and mechanical stability required for high resolution AFM scanning. Additionally, its open design facilitates user modification.

NP-AFM

The NP-AFM is a nano-profiler for analysis of features such as surface roughness and metrology of technical samples. Primary applications for the NP-AFM include process development and process control of technical samples.

The NP-Atomic Force Microscope is a complete nano-profiler tool including everything required for scanning samples: microscope stage, electronic box, control computer, probes, manuals, and a video microscope. Several stage options are available for many types of samples in order to create perfect nanoscience instrument for nano imaging and analysis.

LS-AFM

When an inverted optical microscope is required for locating cells or other biomaterials on a surface, the LS-AFM is used in life sciences applications. The LS-AFM can be retrofitted to almost any inverted optical microscope, or it can be purchased with the AFMWorkshop inverted optical microscope.

Once the LS-AFM is paired with an inverted optical microscope, it becomes tip-scanning atomic force microscope designed specifically for life science applications. This product includes everything required for AFM scanning: AFM stage, cables, inverted optical microscope adaptation plate, EBox, manuals, and AFM-Control Software.

SA-AFM

For large samples and industry, the Standalone AFM is a flexible AFM for scanning all sizes and shapes of samples. It can be easily integrated with all manufacturers’ inverted microscopes.

To buy high-value atomic force microscopes, you can choose AFMWorkshop, renowned atomic force microscope manufacturers. They offer a wide variety of Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM’s) to suit your research needs. For more information, feel free to visit https://www.afmworkshop.com.

Applications of Atomic Force Microscopy

For visualizing nanostructures and making measurements at the nano scale, atomic force microscopes (AFM) are an essential tool. AFMs are routinely used by scientists and researchers throughout the world to visualize surface structure and to make dimensional measurements.

Atomic Force Microscopes have a wide range of applications in physical sciences, life sciences and all disciplines of engineering. Here are a few of the common applications for atomic force microscopes:

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is an almagum of all disciplines of science and engineering, Atomic Force Microscopes are key nanoscale measurement instruments facilitating nanotechnology developments.  Atomic force microscopes are essential tools for nanotechnology research, providing the necessary resolution for the visualization and measurement of nanostructures including nanoparticles, DNA, thin films, polymers, and more.

Life Sciences

AFMs are effective tool for scanning biological samples that are not possible to scan with any other type of microscope. Biomaterials, cells, and other soft samples can be scanned by AFMs in ambient air as well as liquids.  Besides measuring 3-D images an afm can measure parameters including stiffness and adhesion.

Process Development/Control

Atomic force microscope is finding acceptance for evaluating samples for process development, and to control a process. Accuracy and precision can be assured by using standard measurement protocols and qualified probe tips. AFM measurements used in process control are typically made repetitively.

Instrument Innovation

Atomic force microscopes are ideal for instrument builders and engineers. They can be used as a platform for creating new instrumentation, such as new imaging modes. AFM can also be used in combination with another analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer, nanoindenter, and IR spectrometer.

Nanoparticles

Atomic force microscopy can be used for Nanoparticle characterization. Often with an AFM information is gained that cannot be measured with dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and other optical characterization methods. AFM allows 3D characterization of nanoparticles with sub-nanometer resolution.

Photonics

AFMs are ideal for the analysis of materials used in the photonics industry. Thus, it offers substantially better horizontal and vertical resolution than optical and stylus profilers.

Polymer Characterization

Atomic force microscopy is an ideal method for imaging polymers, imaging polymers blends, and polymer composites with nanometer lateral resolution. For polymer applications, the AFM gives better resolution than optical microscopy and unlike in a scanning electron microscope, an AFM does not require coating the sample before imaging.

If you want to learn more about Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) applications or AFMWorkshop products, contact AFMWorkshop or one of our distribution partners. For more information, please visit https://www.afmworkshop.com.