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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/I010785/1
Title: Optical Atomic Force Microscopy
Principal Investigator: Miles, Professor MJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr D Carberry Dr L Picco
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Bristol
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 January 2011 Ends: 30 June 2014 Value (£): 361,929
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Cells Optical Phenomena
Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
EP/I007822/1
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
02 Sep 2010 Physical Sciences - Physics Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Atomic force microscopy (AFM), is a state-of-the-art imagining system that uses a sharp probe to scan backwards and forwards over the surface of an object. The probe tip can have atomic dimensions, meaning that AFM can image the surface of an object at near atomic resolution. However, the limitation of these systems is that, just like with a record player, the needle has to be held by a mechanical arm or cantilever. This restricts the access to the sample, prevents the probing of deep channels or indeed any surface that isn't predominantly horizontal.Our idea to hold the tip of an AFM in an optical beam, without any mechanical constraint. Optical tweezers use the momentum of light beams to trap and move individual spheres, here we will use them to hold and control the AFM tip - without need for any mechanical fixing.We have shown the use of data-projector technology to shape light beams to hold many objects, and that this can give control over a simple probe. We have also shown that high-speed cameras can measure the force acting on the probe with 100 times greater sensitivity than most AFMs. Finally we have shown that the interface of optical tweezers can be made intuitive, e.g. controlled by iPhone!In this project we will develop our use of video game graphics cards for high-speed control and force-feedback to give the user a tactile interface, perhaps utilising the professional equivalent of a Wii motion controller. We will automate a scanning system so that full surface images will be obtained. We will create new probe types, functionalised to give various contrast enhancements. Initially our images will be of standard AFM test samples, but beyond this benchmarking we have budgeted for visits by leading biophysical researchers to test our new approach in their real applications. These range from T-cell interactions to differentiation of stem cell .The project is ambitious breaking new ground in both tweezers, AFM and imaging technologies but we believe the track records of the collaborating teams make success possible.
Key Findings
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.bris.ac.uk