A novel AFM based method for force measurements between individual hair strands

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Eva Max - , University of Bayreuth (Author)
  • Wolfgang Häfner - , University of Bayreuth (Author)
  • Frank Wilco Bartels - , BASF (Author)
  • Albert Sugiharto - , Polymer Physics (Author)
  • Claudia Wood - , BASF (Author)
  • Andreas Fery - , University of Bayreuth (Author)

Abstract

Interactions between hairs and other natural fibers are of broad interest for both applications and fundamental understanding of biological interfaces. We present a novel method, that allows force measurements between individual hair strands. Hair fragments can be laser-cut without altering their surface chemistry. Subsequently, they are glued onto Atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers. This allows carrying out measurements between the hair fragment and surface immobilized hair in a well-defined crossed-cylinder geometry. Both force-distance and friction measurements are feasible. Measurements in air with controlled humidity and in aqueous environment show clear differences which can be explained by the dominating role of capillary interactions in air. Friction is found to be anisotropic, reflecting the fine structure of hair cuticula. While the investigations are focused on the particular example of human hair, we expect that the approach can be extended to other animal/plant fibers and thus offers perspectives for broad spectrum systems.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)320-324
Number of pages5
JournalUltramicroscopy
Volume110
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2010
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 20149539

Keywords

Keywords

  • Atomic force microscopy, Fiber-probe set-up, Force-distance curve