Quantitative characterization of nanomechanical properties has invariably been a holy grail for atomic force microscopy. This article explains some of the industry’s earlier attempts made at ...

The search for a technique that can measure local viscoelastic properties with nanoscale or molecular resolution on soft heterogeneous materials such as polymers has been challenging. Now, scientists ...

What are the differences between nanoscale and bulk phases? What are the viscoelastic properties in an interphase or next to an interface? What is the impact of these properties on load transfer, as a ...

Atomic force microscopy has the capacity to identify a range of nanoscale properties alongside topography in any environment; this is central to the power and extensive applicability of this method.

Mapping rigidity in tumour cell spheroids: dark red indicates the most rigid areas, towards the interior of the tumour; the edge (yellow-green) is less rigid. (Courtesy: Thomas Dehoux/ILM/CNRS) The ...