RM+FSM+AFM+Continuation

Back to "The Future"

The Nanoscope program has many features to analyze a sample: to do these various analyses, such as viewing the sample as a 3-D image, the cross sections, etc. will just take a few clicks on the program. I did view the various images, but I haven't done this with any of my samples. This should be a very simple milestone.
 * Learn how to view different aspects of the sample using Nanoscope (3-D images, cross sections, etc.)**

This milestone will require more careful processing, as using different samples often takes different methods for deposition. The ND graduate students are working with gallium-nitride, which is another semi-conductor; although, we will probably not use this. However, we might explore different surfaces such as gold, copper, and other semi-conductors.
 * Learn different techniques of deposition on different surfaces (gallium-nitride, gold, other semi-conductors, etc.)**

Measuring monolayers requires the use of special instruments and processes, which I obvioiusly have not yet used. Measuring monolayers allows you to know the thickness of the layer(s) between the bare semi-conductor surface and the DNA plasmids. I think there is a way to measure it using the Nanoscope program, however, I am unsure.
 * Learn how to measure monolayers.**

Mixing monolayers may yield results that include relaxed DNA. Thus, knowing how to mix monolayers, which monolayers to mix, etc. will help me experiment ways to get the DNA to be relaxed, which is a major goal. I have written the procedures for preparing PEG and OTS solutions; however, I have not really become acquainted with them or seen them being concocted.
 * Learn how to mix monolayers, in order to create monolayers such as PEG and OTS.**

The contact angle is the angle measured between the surface of the semi-conductor the the added solution. Apparently, it is often used, and can lead to various insights. I am not quite here, yet.
 * Learn how to meausure the contact angle.**

AL has already tested samples in an oxygen-free environment; frankly, I don't know when I will get to this milestone. I think that measuring monolayers and mixing monolayers is probably more of a priority.
 * Learn how to test samples in an oxygen-free environment.**