Contact: H. Klein
Classical Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), allow the imaging of solid surfaces and the measurement of interaction forces. However, their design is not fitted to measure on the more softer liquid / liquid interfaces. We have developed an original design of AFM based on a hanging fiber oscillating probe which allow the study of such interfaces.
This AFM allows quantitative measurements of dissipation (friction) as well as fluid masses displaced during probe oscillation. The controlled vertical displacement of large amplitude allows to cross the interface between two liquids and to follow the evolution of these signals. The formation of a meniscus on the probe at the interface between two immiscible liquids and the associated dissipation can be visualized.
This microscope makes it possible to characterize and manipulate the interface between two liquids at the local scale. Within the framework of the nucleation project in a confined environment , we plan to use the energy dissipation at the interface to induce nucleation, and to quantitatively characterize the phenomenon of the appearance of the crystal nucleus.
