Barney Drake

Bio: Barney Drake is an academic researcher from University of California. The author has contributed to research in topics: Scanning tunneling microscope & Microscope. The author has an hindex of 27, co-authored 48 publications receiving 5147 citations. Previous affiliations of Barney Drake include University of Virginia & University of California, Santa Barbara.

Imaging crystals, polymers, and processes in water with the atomic force microscope.

Abstract: The atomic force microscope (AFM) can be used to image the surface of both conductors and nonconductors even if they are covered with water or aqueous solutions. An AFM was used that combines microfabricated cantilevers with a previously described optical lever system to monitor deflection. Images of mica demonstrate that atomic resolution is possible on rigid materials, thus opening the possibility of atomic-scale corrosion experiments on nonconductors. Images of polyalanine, an amino acid polymer, show the potential of the AFM for revealing the structure of molecules important in biology and medicine. Finally, a series of ten images of the polymerization of fibrin, the basic component of blood clots, illustrate the potential of the AFM for revealing subtle details of biological processes as they occur in real time.

The scanning ion-conductance microscope.

Abstract: A scanning ion-conductance microscope (SICM) has been developed that can image the topography of nonconducting surfaces that are covered with electrolytes. The probe of the SICM is an electrolyte-filled micropipette. The flow of ions through the opening of the pipette is blocked at short distances between the probe and the surface, thus, limiting the ion conductance. A feedback mechanism can be used to maintain a given conductance and in turn determine the distance to the surface. The SICM can also sample and image the local ion currents above the surfaces. To illustrate its potential for imaging ion currents through channels in membranes, a topographic image of a membrane filter with 0.80-micrometer pores and an image of the ion currents flowing through such pores are presented.

Using force modulation to image surface elasticities with the atomic force microscope

Abstract: Using a new mode of scanning, the force modulation mode, surfaces are imaged by the atomic force microscope. The new contrast mechanism relies on variation in the surface elasticity. The cross section of a carbon fibre and epoxy composite is imaged, showing contrast between the two materials. Surface elasticity variations across the cross section of the fibre are revealed. A lateral modulation mode is used to highlight atomic steps in gold.

Bone indentation recovery time correlates with bond reforming time.

Abstract: Despite centuries of work, dating back to Galileo1, the molecular basis of bone's toughness and strength remains largely a mystery. A great deal is known about bone microsctructure2,3,4,5 and the microcracks6,7 that are precursors to its fracture, but little is known about the basic mechanism for dissipating the energy of an impact to keep the bone from fracturing. Bone is a nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite crystals and an organic matrix. Because rigid crystals such as the hydroxyapatite crystals cannot dissipate much energy, the organic matrix, which is mainly collagen, must be involved. A reduction in the number of collagen cross links has been associated with reduced bone strength8,9,10 and collagen is molecularly elongated (‘pulled’) when bovine tendon is strained11. Using an atomic force microscope12,13,14,15,16, a molecular mechanistic origin for the remarkable toughness of another biocomposite material, abalone nacre, has been found12. Here we report that bone, like abalone nacre, contains polymers with ‘sacrificial bonds’ that both protect the polymer backbone and dissipate energy. The time needed for these sacrificial bonds to reform after pulling correlates with the time needed for bone to recover its toughness as measured by atomic force microscope indentation testing. We suggest that the sacrificial bonds found within or between collagen molecules may be partially responsible for the toughness of bone.

Atomic force microscopy of liquid‐covered surfaces: Atomic resolution images

Abstract: Images of graphite surfaces that are covered with oil reveal the hexagonal rings of carbon atoms. Images of a sodium chloride surface, protected from moisture by oil, exhibit a monoatomic step. Together, these images demonstrate the potential of atomic force microscopy (AFM) for studying both conducting and nonconducting surfaces, even surfaces covered with liquids. Our AFM uses a cross of double wires with an attached diamond stylus as a force sensor. The force constant is ≊40 N/m. The resonant frequency is ≊3 kHz. The lateral and vertical resolutions are 0.15 nm and 5 pm.

Single-molecule force spectroscopy: optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy

Abstract: Single-molecule force spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate the forces and motions associated with biological molecules and enzymatic activity. The most common force spectroscopy techniques are optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy. Here we describe these techniques and illustrate them with examples highlighting current capabilities and limitations.

Adhesion forces between individual ligand-receptor pairs.

Abstract: The adhesion force between the tip of an atomic force microscope cantilever derivatized with avidin and agarose beads functionalized with biotin, desthiobiotin, or iminobiotin was measured Under conditions that allowed only a limited number of molecular pairs to interact, the force required to separate tip and bead was found to be quantized in integer multiples of 160 +/- 20 piconewtons for biotin and 85 +/- 15 piconewtons for iminobiotin The measured force quanta are interpreted as the unbinding forces of individual molecular pairs