Nanopipette/Nanorod-Combined Quartz Tuning Fork–Atomic Force Microscope

Sensors 2019, 19, 1794; doi:10.3390/s19081794

Sangmin An and Wonho Jhe

We introduce a nanopipette/quartz tuning fork (QTF)–atomic force microscope (AFM)

for nanolithography and a nanorod/QTF–AFM for nanoscratching with in situ detection of shear dynamics during performance. Capillary-condensed nanoscale water meniscus-mediated and electric field-assisted small-volume liquid ejection and nanolithography in ambient conditions are performed at a low bias voltage (~10 V) via a nanopipette/QTF–AFM. We produce and analyze Au nanoparticle-aggregated nanowire by using nanomeniscus-based particle stacking via a nanopipette/QTF–AFM. In addition, we perform a nanoscratching technique using in situ detection of the mechanical interactions of shear dynamics via a nanorod/QTF–AFM with force sensor capability and high sensitivity.