Measurement competences and techniques
The Department of Bionanosciences excels in the characterization of synthetic and natural nanomaterials as well as material interfaces. Examples of measurements and techniques:
- Particle size, morphology and distribution studies, including in organic and biological matrices, using transmission electron microscopy;
- Particle / colloid size and charge determination using dynamic light scattering;
- Analysis of nanoparticle composition, structure and interactions using thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and isothermal titration calorimetry;
- Nanoscale and microscale imaging using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and holography;
- Biointerface and affinity measurements using acoustic and optic surface sensitive techniques (quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), waveguide spectroscopy (DPI) and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR));
- Optical spectroscopy and quantitative absorbance and fluorimetry measurements;
- Cell and bacteria sample preparation for microscopy: fixation, thin-sectioning and cryo-preparation;
- Contact angle and pendant drop (surface energy/tension), including dynamic measurements of interfacial Young's modulus, measurements;
- Expertise in data interpretation and multi-modal analysis for all methods listed
We are happy to offer our know-how to external partners, including both companies and institutional partners.
Equipment and Infrastructure - who to contact
External partners can get access to the department infrastructure after establishing an agreement. We generally try to provide access to our facilities also for external researchers, when this does not compromise our own activities. Access to equipment is typically conditional on joint research or on payment of our low user fees.
Hence, if you are not a member of the DBNW, please be aware that external access of our equipment is always decided by the institute heads/department head and not by he researchers in charge of the equipment. Contact the relevant institute heads if you are interested in access.
Here is a list of our commonly request equipment:
