The design of a low cost, quasi nano-scale, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), using 3d printing and open-source software.
The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was invented in the mid 1980's. The AFM permits the observation of matter down to the nano-meter scale. With the AFM one is capable of directly observing and manipulating matter down to the single atom. It operates, in principle, very similar to a record player with a needle that is moved over the surface of the object and its vibration used in the representation of the data. A major difference is the use of a cantilever that amplifies the movement of this needle. Using a laser light source and a positional photo-diode it is capable of taking measurements as the specimen is moved under the needle. These measurements are later processed by a computer and represented in a graphical form. AFM devices, however are still very expensive and out of the reach for many people.
Learn more about this project on:
[ Ссылка ]
