Plane-sphere confinement microscopy (PSCM)
A new technique developed in the Richter Lab to analyse diffusion processes in thin solvated films and at interfaces.
PSCM exploits the contact between a spherical surface and a transparent planar surface to create a confined environment with a defined nanoscale gap profile. The quasi two-dimensional confinement enhances imaging contrast due to reduction of background signal from the bulk solution, and facilitates the tracking of biomolecules and nanoparticles by eliminating out-of-focus diffusion.
Plane-sphere confinement can also create defined compression gradients in solvated polymer coatings, or to trap cells. This opens up new opportunities for the analysis of intricate molecular transport processes, e.g., diffusion of biomolecules through glycocalyces, binding and diffusion of viruses on the cell surface, and more.
Applications in our research
PSCM is a newly developed technique with a wide range of potential applications for functional coatings, from fundamental research in biophysics (including some of our own) to everyday applications in biomaterials and paints. To learn more, please click any of the below icons.
