NPLML (in collaboration with Ports) will provide a report describing an accurate means for comparing forces determined using the atomic force microscope (using traceable photonic standards) and those measured using other devices.  This report will include direct measurement of the forces generated by single molecules of the molecular motor described above, against these photonic standards, allowing comparison with magnetic tweezer measurements.

Outcomes:

NPLML produced an Internal Report as required (available to all Mol Switch Consortium Members via the Mol Switch .Articles Section of NanoNet).

Measurement of the forces involved in molecular motors, or, interactions between single bio-molecules, are at the limit of what may be measured with scanned probe microscope techniques, in the range up to 5-1000 piconewtons. A significant achievement has been the demonstration that the thermal response of a hybrid cantilever, to an incident laser beam, may be separated from the radiation pressure response.  The system was preliminary tested in a liquid environment.

The radiation calibration system was used for calibration of soft MFM cantilevers used in a force detection experiment.