Direct measurements of the strength of particle interactions are critical for characterizing the stability and behavior of colloidal and nanoparticle suspensions. Current techniques are limited in their ability to measure pico-newton scale interaction forces on sub-micrometer particles due to signal detection limits, thermal noise, and throughput. We have recently developed a technique for making direct mechanical measurements of the force and work associated with the steric and electrostatic effects that stabilize colloidal nanoparticles. “Nanophotonic Force Microscopy”, as we call it, is unique in that it uses statistical methods to provide direct measurements of these forces at the individual particle scale, while still being sufficiently high-throughput to produce meaningful population level data. In this talk I will introduce the technology, it’s advantages, and some of the major uses. Specific case studies will include label-free monitoring of binding of individual antibodies onto single viruses and the measurement of the strength of nanoparticle coatings used for steric stabilization.
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