Condensed Matter Seminar Series

Nanoscale Mechanical Studies using Atomic Force Microscopy

Michael Falvo

UNC Chapel Hill

Thursday March 1,  11:30 am,  Room 298,  Physics Building

Abstract:   Force measurement capability down to the picoNewton range with AFM and other techniques has enabled investigations of the mechanical properties of a wide range of systems, from nanoelectromechanical systems to proteins and cells. I will review our progress in fabricating and mechanically characterizing carbon nanotube based resonators. Very recent results showing modulation in electronic transport through single wall tubes due to mechanically induced torsion will be discussed. I will also review other work investigating biological systems, including progress on mechanical evaluation of fibrin fibers. We have found these fibers exhibit unusually high extensibility.