Method for Measuring the Distribution of Adhesion Forces on Continuous Nanoscale Protrusions Using Carbon Nanofiber Tip on a Scanning Probe Microscope Cantilever

Mechanically stable nanostructures with desirable characteristic field enhancement factors: a response from scale invariance in electrostatics

This work presents an accurate numerical study of the electrostatics of a system formed by individual nanostructures mounted on support substrate tips, which provides a theoretical prototype for applications in field electron emission or for the construction of tips in probe microscopy that requires high resolution. The aim is to describe the conditions to produce structures mechanically robust with desirable field enhancement factor (FEF). We modeled a substrate tip with a height h 1, radius r 1 and characteristic FEF [Formula: see text], and a top nanostructure with a height h 2, radius [Formula: see text] and FEF [Formula: see text], for both hemispheres on post-like structures. The nanostructure mounted on the support substrate tip then has a characteristic FEF, [Formula: see text]. Defining the relative difference [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] corresponds to the reference FEF for a hemisphere of the post structure with a radius [Formula: see text] and height [Formula: see text], our results show, from a numerical solution of Laplace's equation using a finite element scheme, a scaling [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Given a characteristic variable u c, for [Formula: see text], we found a power law [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which led to conditions where [Formula: see text]. As a consequence of scale invariance, it is possible to derive a simple expression for [Formula: see text] and to predict the conditions needed to produce related systems with a desirable FEF that are robust owing to the presence of the substrate tip. Finally, we discuss the validity of Schottky's conjecture (SC) for these systems, showing that, while to obey SC is indicative of scale invariance, the opposite is not necessarily true. This result suggests that a careful analysis must be performed before attributing SC as an origin of giant FEF in experiments.

CO2 Biofixation of Actinobacillus succinogenes Through Novel Amine-Functionalized Polystyrene Microsphere Materials

CO₂-derived succinate production was enhanced by Actinobacillus succinogenes through polystyrene (PSt) microsphere materials for CO₂ adsorption in bioreactor, and the adhesion forces between A. succinogenes bacteria and PSt materials were characterized. Synthesized uniformly sized and highly cross-linked PSt microspheres had high specific surface areas. After modification with amine functional groups, the novel amine-functionalized PSt microspheres exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 25.3 mg CO₂/g materials. After addition with the functionalized microspheres into the culture broth, CO₂ supply to the cells increased. Succinate production by A. succinogenes can be enhanced from 29.6 to 48.1 g L^-1. Moreover, the characterization of interaction forces between A. succinogenes cells and the microspheres indicated that the maximal adhesive force was about 250 pN. The amine-functionalized PSt microspheres can adsorb a large amount of CO₂ and be employed for A. succinogenes anaerobic cultivation in bioreactor for high-efficiency production of CO₂-derived succinate.