In this article, a detailed analysis of the wet- etching technique for AIGaN/GaN heterostructure using dry thermal oxidation followed by a wet alkali etching was performed. The experimental results show that the oxida...In this article, a detailed analysis of the wet- etching technique for AIGaN/GaN heterostructure using dry thermal oxidation followed by a wet alkali etching was performed. The experimental results show that the oxida- tion plays a key role in the wet-etching method and the etching depth is mainly determined by the oxidation tem- perature and time. The correlation of etching roughness with oxidation time and temperature was investigated. It is found that there exists a critical oxidation temperature in the oxidation process. Finally, a physical explanation of the oxidation procedure for A1GaN layer was given.展开更多
Direct observation is arguably the preferred way to investigate the interactions between two molecular complexes. With the development of high speed atomic force microscopy （AFM）, it is becoming possible to observe ...Direct observation is arguably the preferred way to investigate the interactions between two molecular complexes. With the development of high speed atomic force microscopy （AFM）, it is becoming possible to observe directly DNA-protein interactions with relevant spatial and temporal resolutions. These interactions are of central importance to biology, bionanotechnology, and functional biologically inspired materials. As in all microscopy studies, sample preparation plays a central role in AFM observation and minimal perturbation of the sample is desired. Here, we demonstrate the ability to tune the interactions between DNA molecules and the surface to create an association strong enough to enable high-resolution AFM imaging while also providing sufficient translational freedom to allow the relevant protein-DNA interactions to take place. Furthermore, we describe a quantitative method for measuring DNA mobility, while also determining the individual forces contributing to DNA movement. We found that for a weak surface association, a significant contribution to the movement arises from the interaction of the AFM tip with the DNA. In combination, these methods enable the tuning of the surface translational freedom of DNA molecules to allow the direct study of a wide range of nucleo-protein interactions by high speed atomic force microscopy.展开更多
We report on an electrostatically formed nanowire （EFN）-based sensor with tunable diameters in the range of 16 nm to 46 nm and demonstrate an EFN- based field-effect transistor as a highly sensitive and robust room ...We report on an electrostatically formed nanowire （EFN）-based sensor with tunable diameters in the range of 16 nm to 46 nm and demonstrate an EFN- based field-effect transistor as a highly sensitive and robust room temperature gas sensor. The device was carefully designed and fabricated using standard integrated processing to achieve the 16 nm EFN that can be used for sensing without any need for surface modification. The effective diameter for the EFN was determined using Kelvin probe force microscopy accompanied by three- dimensional electrostatic simulations. We show that the EFN transistor is capable of detecting 100 parts per million of ethanol gas with bare SiO2.展开更多
By the use of non-contact atomic force microscopy （NC-AFM） and Kelvin probe force microscopy （KPFM）, we measure the local surface potential of mechanically exfoliated graphene on the prototypical insulating hydrop...By the use of non-contact atomic force microscopy （NC-AFM） and Kelvin probe force microscopy （KPFM）, we measure the local surface potential of mechanically exfoliated graphene on the prototypical insulating hydrophilic substrate of CAF2（111）. Hydration layers confined between the graphene and the CaF2 substrate, resulting from the graphene＇s preparation under ambient conditions on the hydrophilic substrate surface, are found to electronically modify the graphene as the material＇s electron density transfers from graphene to the hydration layer. Density functional theory （DFT） calculations predict that the first 2 to 3 water layers adjacent to the graphene hole-dope the graphene by several percent of a unit charge per unit cell.展开更多
Focal adhesions play an important role in cell spreading,migration,and overall mechanical integrity.The relationship of cell structural and mechanical properties was investigated in the context of focal adhesion proce...Focal adhesions play an important role in cell spreading,migration,and overall mechanical integrity.The relationship of cell structural and mechanical properties was investigated in the context of focal adhesion processes.Combined atomic force microscopy(AFM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM) was utilized to measure single cell mechanics,in correlation with cellular morphology and membrane structures at a nanometer scale.Characteristic stages of focal adhesion were verified via confocal fluorescent studies,which confirmed three representative F-actin assemblies,actin dot,filaments network,and long and aligned fibrous bundles at cytoskeleton.Force-deformation profiles of living cells were measured at the single cell level,and displayed as a function of height deformation,relative height deformation and relative volume deformation.As focal adhesion progresses,single cell compression profiles indicate that both membrane and cytoskeleton stiffen,while spreading increases especially from focal complex to focal adhesion.Correspondingly,AFM imaging reveals morphological geometries of spherical cap,spreading with polygon boundaries,and elongated or polarized spreading.Membrane features are dominated by protrusions of 41-207 nm tall,short rods with 1-6 μm in length and 10.2-80.0 nm in height,and long fibrous features of 31-246 nm tall,respectively.The protrusion is attributed to local membrane folding,and the rod and fibrous features are consistent with bilayer decorating over the F-actin assemblies.Taken collectively,the reassembly of F-actin during focal adhesion formation is most likely responsible for the changes in cellular mechanics,spreading morphology,and membrane structural features.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 60406004, 60890193, and 60736033)the National Key Micrometer/Nanometer Processing Laboratory
文摘In this article, a detailed analysis of the wet- etching technique for AIGaN/GaN heterostructure using dry thermal oxidation followed by a wet alkali etching was performed. The experimental results show that the oxida- tion plays a key role in the wet-etching method and the etching depth is mainly determined by the oxidation tem- perature and time. The correlation of etching roughness with oxidation time and temperature was investigated. It is found that there exists a critical oxidation temperature in the oxidation process. Finally, a physical explanation of the oxidation procedure for A1GaN layer was given.
文摘Direct observation is arguably the preferred way to investigate the interactions between two molecular complexes. With the development of high speed atomic force microscopy （AFM）, it is becoming possible to observe directly DNA-protein interactions with relevant spatial and temporal resolutions. These interactions are of central importance to biology, bionanotechnology, and functional biologically inspired materials. As in all microscopy studies, sample preparation plays a central role in AFM observation and minimal perturbation of the sample is desired. Here, we demonstrate the ability to tune the interactions between DNA molecules and the surface to create an association strong enough to enable high-resolution AFM imaging while also providing sufficient translational freedom to allow the relevant protein-DNA interactions to take place. Furthermore, we describe a quantitative method for measuring DNA mobility, while also determining the individual forces contributing to DNA movement. We found that for a weak surface association, a significant contribution to the movement arises from the interaction of the AFM tip with the DNA. In combination, these methods enable the tuning of the surface translational freedom of DNA molecules to allow the direct study of a wide range of nucleo-protein interactions by high speed atomic force microscopy.
文摘We report on an electrostatically formed nanowire （EFN）-based sensor with tunable diameters in the range of 16 nm to 46 nm and demonstrate an EFN- based field-effect transistor as a highly sensitive and robust room temperature gas sensor. The device was carefully designed and fabricated using standard integrated processing to achieve the 16 nm EFN that can be used for sensing without any need for surface modification. The effective diameter for the EFN was determined using Kelvin probe force microscopy accompanied by three- dimensional electrostatic simulations. We show that the EFN transistor is capable of detecting 100 parts per million of ethanol gas with bare SiO2.
文摘By the use of non-contact atomic force microscopy （NC-AFM） and Kelvin probe force microscopy （KPFM）, we measure the local surface potential of mechanically exfoliated graphene on the prototypical insulating hydrophilic substrate of CAF2（111）. Hydration layers confined between the graphene and the CaF2 substrate, resulting from the graphene＇s preparation under ambient conditions on the hydrophilic substrate surface, are found to electronically modify the graphene as the material＇s electron density transfers from graphene to the hydration layer. Density functional theory （DFT） calculations predict that the first 2 to 3 water layers adjacent to the graphene hole-dope the graphene by several percent of a unit charge per unit cell.
基金initiated by a UCD Alzheimer's Disease Center (ADC) pilotgranta CRCC (Cancer Research Coordination Committee) Research Grantthe support of W. M. Keck Foundation
文摘Focal adhesions play an important role in cell spreading,migration,and overall mechanical integrity.The relationship of cell structural and mechanical properties was investigated in the context of focal adhesion processes.Combined atomic force microscopy(AFM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM) was utilized to measure single cell mechanics,in correlation with cellular morphology and membrane structures at a nanometer scale.Characteristic stages of focal adhesion were verified via confocal fluorescent studies,which confirmed three representative F-actin assemblies,actin dot,filaments network,and long and aligned fibrous bundles at cytoskeleton.Force-deformation profiles of living cells were measured at the single cell level,and displayed as a function of height deformation,relative height deformation and relative volume deformation.As focal adhesion progresses,single cell compression profiles indicate that both membrane and cytoskeleton stiffen,while spreading increases especially from focal complex to focal adhesion.Correspondingly,AFM imaging reveals morphological geometries of spherical cap,spreading with polygon boundaries,and elongated or polarized spreading.Membrane features are dominated by protrusions of 41-207 nm tall,short rods with 1-6 μm in length and 10.2-80.0 nm in height,and long fibrous features of 31-246 nm tall,respectively.The protrusion is attributed to local membrane folding,and the rod and fibrous features are consistent with bilayer decorating over the F-actin assemblies.Taken collectively,the reassembly of F-actin during focal adhesion formation is most likely responsible for the changes in cellular mechanics,spreading morphology,and membrane structural features.
