Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to antimicrobial films for use on high-touch surfaces in medical, commercial, and residential settings and methods of making the same. The films and coatings are robust and retain activity over time and are optimized to minimize diffusion time of virus particles as well as bacterial and fungal pathogens to the inactivating layers and/or particles in the films and coatings. In another aspect, the films and coatings are capable of inactivating multiple virus, bacteria, and fungi types, can be applied as sprayable coatings or adhesive backed films, or can be incorporated into fabrics. In still another aspect, the films and coatings can be formulated as transparent or can be a neutral color such as gray or white.

Abstract: Evanescent wave scattering by a scanning probe in a scanning probe microscope is utilized to determine and monitor separation between a scanning probe and a sample. A laser light is totally internally reflected at the interface between a more optically dense (incident) medium and less optically dense (transmitting) medium, exciting a decaying evanescent field in the less optically dense medium. A scanning probe, such as a colloidal probe, is dipped into the evanescent field, which scatters off the scanning probe. The portion of the scattered field propagates back into the incident medium and is then detected by a detector. A dependency between the intensity of the scattered evanescent field and the separation between the probe and the incident medium was measured and used in determining the separation. This dependency of intensity is used to prepare images or maps of interfaces. A particular application of determining the separation between the probe and the sample in an atomic force microscope is disclosed.

Abstract: Evanescent wave scattering by a scanning probe in a scanning probe microscope is utilized to determine and monitor separation between a scanning probe and a sample. A laser light is totally internally reflected at the interface between a more optically dense (incident) medium and less optically dense (transmitting) medium, exciting a decaying evanescent field in the less optically dense medium. A scanning probe, such as a colloidal probe, is dipped into the evanescent field, which scatters off the scanning probe. The portion of the scattered field propagates back into the incident medium and is then detected by a detector. A dependency between the intensity of the scattered evanescent field and the separation between the probe and the incident medium was measured and used in determining the separation. This dependency of intensity is used to prepare images or maps of interfaces. A particular application of determining the separation between the probe and the sample in an atomic force microscope is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of magnetic force control for a scanning probe, wherein a first magnetic source having a magnetic moment is provided on the scanning probe and a second magnetic source is disposed external to the scanning probe to apply a magnetic field in a direction other than parallel, and preferably perpendicular, to the orientation of the magnetic moment, from the second magnetic source to the first magnetic source to produce a torque related to the amplitude of the applied magnetic field acting on the probe. By controlling the amplitude of the applied magnetic field, the deflection of the scanning probe is maintained constant during scanning by the scanning probe. An output signal related to the amplitude of the magnetic field applied by the second magnetic source is produced and is indicative of a surface force applied to the probe. The invention can also be used to apply large forces during scanning for applications such as nanolithography or elasticity mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of magnetic force control for a scanning probe, wherein a first magnetic source having a magnetic moment is provided on the scanning probe and a second magnetic source is disposed external to the scanning probe to apply a magnetic field in a direction other than parallel, and preferably perpendicular, to the orientation of the magnetic moment, from the second magnetic source to the first magnetic source to produce a torque related to the amplitude of the applied magnetic field acting on the probe. By controlling the amplitude of the applied magnetic field, the deflection of the scanning probe is maintained constant during scanning by the scanning probe. An output signal related to the amplitude of the magnetic field applied by the second magnetic source is produced and is indicative of a surface force applied to the probe. The invention can also be used to apply large forces during scanning for applications such as nanolithography or elasticity mapping.