JPK Press Release

JPK Instruments introduces a new technical breakthrough that enables the combination of upright microscopy with atomic force microscopy (AFM) on the same sample spot - the BioMAT™ Workstation. This clears the way for a new range of applications where the full capabilities of both AFM and advanced optical imaging can be realized even on opaque samples.

Optical microscopy integrated with AFM is a powerful combination for investigating nanostructured materials and bio-materials. The composition or chemical information from optical fluorescence or spectroscopy complements the nano-imaging and nano-manipulation capabilities of the AFM, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the sample surface.

Previously this combination of techniques has been restricted to transparent samples, where the optical information comes from an inverted microscope observing through the sample from below, with the AFM operating above the sample. This setup is not practical for opaque samples, but the sub-millimeter working distance of advanced microscope objectives prevents the AFM approaching from the same side as the optics.

The BioMAT™ Workstation overcomes this limitation by enabling AFM and advanced optical microscopy to be sequentially applied to the same region of interest. A patented calibration procedure ensures that the region of interest can be found and re-imaged with micron precision, so exactly the same area can be investigated optically and with the AFM.

The key element of the BioMAT™ Workstation is the JPK NanoWizard®II AFM system, paired with an upright optical microscope. The extensive choice of optical microscope setups means that a wide range of optical contrast methods, fluorescence techniques and even confocal laser scanning or Raman mapping is possible. This is combined with the AFM for high resolution nano-imaging, elasticity and adhesion measurements, as well as nano-manipulation and lithography. In particular, it is now possible to make measurements in liquid with high resolution dipping lenses and AFM on the same sample area.

The BioMAT™ Workstation generates new possibilities for investigating bio-film formation, membrane models, biocompatible materials, cell growth on scaffolds and many more applications in engineering and bioengineering.

back to JPK news