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Detailed Images Show Intra-Molecular Bonds
Techmeology writes "A team from IBM in Zurich has published images of molecules that are detailed enough to show the lengths of atomic bonds. 'The IBM team's innovation to create the first single molecule picture, of a molecule called pentacene, was to use the tip to pick up a single, small molecule made up of a carbon and an oxygen atom. This carbon monoxide molecule effectively acts as a record needle, probing with unprecedented accuracy the very surfaces of atoms. It is difficult to overstate what precision measurements these are. The experiments must be isolated from any kind of vibration coming from within the laboratory or even its surroundings. They are carried out at a scale so small that room temperature induces wigglings of the AFM's constituent molecules that would blur the images, so the apparatus is kept at a cool -268C.' This allows an analysis of imperfections in the molecular structure (abstract). The team plans to use the method to examine molecules of graphene."
frostay, homes
The team, which included French and Spanish collaborators, used a variant of a technique called atomic force microscopy, or AFM.
What, no team from Africa? Color me astonished!
the writeup describes an earlier paper, not the recent one that was in Science. they previously showed that you can look at planar molecules like pentacene with afm, here they showed that you can see minor differences in the bond lengths to distinguish single/double bonds.
James Bonds
Using this technology we will be able to produce nanomaterials of unprecedented strength, bringing us one step closer to the space elevator.
The scientists better get those molecule pictures copyrighted quickly before the MPAA sues them for infringement.
Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
This is actually good science.
Chiropractic researchers and interested neurologists should use this technology to study the subtle, yet catastrophic, micro-subluxations which are a major cause of human suffering. It is a well known fact that if you do not receive regular chiropractic adjustments, the chances of you having health-damanging subluxations are nearly 100%.
D.D. Palmer trained the first Chiropractors to detect and eliminate such scourges. It's nice to see science catching up with Chiropractic circa 1895!
Chiropractic Saves Lives!
Interesting... first I thought molecules indeed looked like a bunch of spheres, just like in the drawings.
Then I realized that since an atoms location is more like a statistical function than an actual position, that molecules probably look nothing like those drawings in reality.
But now here's a photo of a molecule and it looks like a bunch of spheres? Who would have thought!
Goodness gracious, it is not AIDS.
Nice. AFMs have been imaging atoms for about two decades (and yes, they do look like spheres). Being able to see intermolecular bonds is a big step forward.
AFMs are amusing. The idea is so simple - mechanically scan atoms with a really sharp point. Everyone had assumed that you'd have to scan atoms with electron beams (as with electron microscopes) or X-rays (as with X-ray diffraction), using some particle much smaller than the atoms being scanned. Then Quate and Gerber figured out how to scan atoms mechanically. Which sounds like a really silly idea, but works.
An AFM works like a mechanical record player. It's a pointy needle on a positioner made using piezoelectric elements. Raster scan signals are applied to the positioners to get a classic TV-type scan, and the third axis has its position measured and is servoed until the point touches the sample. Height measurements come out. Basic AFMs aren't very complicated or very big.
It took a surprisingly long time to come up with this idea. It was invented in 1986. One probably could have been built in 1946, and certainly in 1966.
The technology is available to photograph a /. readers wang.
It is is good to see this kind of basic research is still being done. Even as Hewlett Packard has gutted its research capabilities and looks set to suit to its corporate grave, blue-chip IBM shows that it still understands the need for discovery. Though it is perhaps indicative that this team is decidedly not American...
"What in the name of Fats Waller is that?"
"A four-foot prune."
Bond. Intermolecular Bond.
"Is there any beer in the fridge?"
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If your children ever found out how lame you are, they'd murder you in your sleep
Thanks IBM for being in the forefront and publishing your research.
One thing though. I haven't read the paper, but are these results really reproducible today by other teams? Or is it something that only can bee seen with one particluar instrument as of today?
You're Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!... I think you're the greatest, but my dad says you don't work hard enough on defense. And he says that lots of times, you don't even run down court. And that you don't really try... except during the playoffs.