Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring

Abstract : Equipment Purchase - A Q-sense E4 Auto Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) with was bought to support DoD-relevant research on structural proteins, molecular interactions and surface science in general. The equipment included the following components: Complete Q-sense E4 Auto QCM-D system, fully equipped with standard accessories (including MHz standard gold crystals) and analysis system (including computer and monitor) optional modules: Ellipsometry Module, Electrochemistry Module (including reference electrode & accessories), Window Module, Open Module, Humidity Module, Standard Flow Module (extra) UV/Ozone cleaner Hydroxyapatite, 10 nm, Sensors Biotin Functionalized on Gold Sensors His-tag Capturing Sensor QCM-D techniques provide answers about mass and structural changes at the nanoscale level. The instrumentation was used to characterize the interaction between small molecules or polymers and a designed interface, to assess the hydration states of surface coatings, conformational changes during assembly and further material interactions. The equipment was used mostly for the investigation of interfaces and processes involving silk or silk-based peptides and inorganic components, to quantify loading and binding of molecules involved in the development sensors, to analyze functionalized materials for interactions, to study bio-nanocomposite systems and to investigate block copolymer self assembly to form nanostructures.