Centro De Investigacion Cooperativa En Biomateriales (cic Biomagune)

Centro De Investigacion Cooperative En Biomateriales (cic Biomagune)

Elena Martines

Soledad Penades Ullate

Isabel Garcia Martin

The present invention provides a container and a method that can be used to transport and store AFM probes in a liquid buffer. This container fastens an AFM probe and consists of a plastic lid that secures a probe while keeping it in a controlled environment, thus preventing that the tips are contaminated by air-borne molecules, packaging material, deposited substances or air bubbles. In the case of functionalized probes, the surface molecules are still functional upon arrival. The tips cannot be broken upon transport because they are held by the container, however the probes can be easily removed upon opening of the container.

Liquid-tight container for storing and transporting AFM probes

The present invention includes an apparatus that holds the probes to a solid support throughout the passages of the functionalization process, thus avoiding user-dependent breakage or damage of the fragile AFM cantilevers. The apparatus allows the tips of the AFM probes to be placed face-down, which avoids the deposition of contaminants on their functional side. The device also allows functionalizing the tips with small liquid volumes and cleaning. The present invention includes a functionalization process preventing non-specific adsorption of molecules on the tip.

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San Sebastian, Spain

Elena Martines