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About
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) & other Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) describes a family of techniques, distinct from the Light and Electron Microscopies in that its spatial resolution is defined not by the wavelength of radiation (such as light, microwaves or electrons), but by the lateral dimensions of the nanoscale probe interrogating the surface, and the short-range nature of the probe-surface interaction. In Scanning Probe Microscopy a physical probe is positioned within a few nanometres of the surface, or in contact with the surface, and the probe is raster-scanned across the surface. A physical property of the surface, to which the probe is sensitive, is used as a control parameter to yield a true 3-dimensional image of the surface. An SPM “image” can contain information from a wide range of forces and interactions and, so SPM can provide quantitative maps of e.g. mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, chemical, optical and electronic properties simultaneously with topography, and both to nanometre, atomic and even subatomic resolution in some conditions. With the development of high-speed SPM these maps can be acquired to time resolutions up to seconds and milliseconds. The probe is often used to obtain local spectroscopic information about the behaviour of a particular property as a parameter such as distance or voltage is ramped. Two important examples of SPM spectroscopy are: Force Spectroscopy, which quantifies the forces felt by the probe as a function of distance with the sample, and Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), an extension of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), is used to provide information about the density of electrons in a sample as a function of their energy. AFM is also often used as a nanoindenter to obtain nanometre information about the mechanical properties of the sample as it is mechanically deformed.
The Scanning Probe Microscopy Section of the RMS has several distinguishing features:
- We represent a diverse multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary community of researchers and practitioners
- We are developing a number of training short-courses as we look to build and support the community
- We are opening a dialogue with the research councils on mutual training opportunities
The RMS is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive Society and encourages diversity across all activities and in the membership of our committees and groups.
If you are interested in joining any of the committees in the future, please visit our Join a Committee page.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) & other Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) related events
RMS Section Awards
Launched in 2014, the Section Awards (formerly known as the Medal Series) recognise those who have made significant contributions to the field of microscopy. The RMS Section Awards celebrate outstanding scientific achievements across all areas of microscopy and flow cytometry with each RMS Science Section able to select a winner for their own award.
Find out more
Committee
Jamie Hobbs
Jamie received a BSc in Physics from the University of Bristol in 1991, followed by a PhD in polymer physics, also from Bristol. Following work with Peter Barham and Andrew Keller on polymer crystallization, he worked with Mervyn Miles using and developing AFM for studying polymers. He pioneered methods for following polymer crystallization in real time, and then co-developed a new high speed scanning (videoAFM) approach which led to the launch of a spin-out company, Infinitesima Ltd. On moving to Sheffield in 2004 he started to collaborate widely with biologists, as well as further developing AFM approaches for high speed and high resolution imaging. His work is now focused on the development and application of AFM for imaging living systems, in particular bacteria, plants and cancer.
Kristina Rusimova
I am an experimental physicist working at the intersection between nanoscience and photonics. In particular, I am interested in studying how light and matter interact on the atomic scale. I received an MSci in Physics with Nanotechnology from the University of Birmingham in 2012, followed by a PhD in atomic manipulation with the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) from the University of Bath in 2016. Following a short postdoctoral position in photonics, I joined the Department of Physics at the University of Bath as an independent Prize Fellow in 2018 and as a tenured Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in 2021. In 2022 I was part of the team awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Faraday Division Horizon Prize for the discovery of chiroptical harmonic scattering. My work is now focused on looking for new understanding of the nanoscale physical processes that underpin light emission and single molecule reactions induced by the tip of an STM.
Mingdong Dong
Mingdong Dong is Professor in the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center at Aarhus University Denmark. He is applied physicist specializing in advanced surface sensitive scanning probe microscopy (SPM). He has developed several important quantitative SPM-based surface sensitive techniques to investigate electronic, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and magnetic properties in biological systems and nanomaterials, which have been critically important for a better understanding of structure-function relationship. His academic experience ranges from materials science, physical chemistry to biophysics, covers problems in life science and nanoscience, encompasses expertise in SPM. He has published more than 300 papers (More than 16000 citations, H-index of 65) in top international peer reviewed journals such as Nature, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Chemistry, Nature Communications, PNAS, Angewandte Chemie, Nano Letters, JACS, ACS NANO, Advanced Materials, etc. Dr. Dong has been a member of Royal Microscopical Society, ACS, MRS, Biophysical Society and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Amir Farokh Payam
Amir is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at the School of Engineering at Ulster University. Prior to his current role, he has worked at the Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, the Department of Physics at Durham University, and the Department of Engineering at the University of Bristol. During his career, he made contributions to the development of force reconstruction methods for dynamic AFM, multifrequency force microscopy, vortex dissipation microscopy for solid-liquid interface studies, microcantilever calibration, high-speed AFM studies of metallic surface fatigue, unravelling spatiotemporal transient dynamics at the nanoscale as well as development of wavelet-based AFM/KPFM.
Amir’s research group is dedicated to advancing atomic force microscopy techniques to enhance the imaging, characterization and quantification of nanoscale materials at both surface and subsurface levels. His research is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Royal Society, and the Northern Ireland Department for Economy. He has been recognized with Ulster University’s Future Research Leader Award from the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment, as well as the Future Research Leader Champion Award.
Julia Gorelik
I am Professor of Cellular Biophysics, within the Cardiovascular Science Division at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London. I dedicated my energy to advancing nanoscale non-contact imaging of living animal and human cells in culture. Primarily my work develops a variant of scanning probe microscope, scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM). Profiting from the fact that scanning probe in SICM is a nanopipette I introduced combination of SICM with ion channel recording. Also, I introduced the use of nanopipette for local delivery of drugs to cell surface, after acquisition of a topography image for better position the nanopipette in the region of interest. Another of my passions is mechanobiology, as SICM can measure mechanical parameters such as Young's modulus.
I have a long-standing interest in the heart, which led me to develop the SICM to measure contraction, rhythm and calcium dynamics of cardiomyocytes simultaneously, allowing the study arrhythmias and heart failure conditions on cultured heart cells. I built a SICM microscope combined it with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique for study spatial distribution of beta-adrenoreceptors on the surface of the cardiomyocytes.
I am director of the Centre of Cellular Mechano-sensing and Functional Microscopy (CMFM) at Imperial College London. We are creating a collaborative environment in which state-of-the-art techniques, overarching scientific concepts and specialised knowledge are shared between experts in the fields of mechano-sensing, mechano-transduction and associated signalling pathways.
Joining the community with help me promote SICM and show its enormous potential in combination with other techniques; also, it will help to attract more interest in mechanical properties of cells, using different microscopic techniques.
Sarah Guerin
Dr Sarah Guerin graduated with a BSc in Applied Physics in 2015, going on to complete her PhD in piezoelectric biomolecular crystals in 2018. Her postdoctoral research was carried out in the modelling theme of SSPC, the Research Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, in which she is now a funded investigator. She runs her research group, the Actuate Lab, in the Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute in the University of Limerick, Ireland. Her current team is made up of 7 PhD students and 5 postdoctoral researchers, with expertise in crystal engineering, molecular modelling, crystal growth, and electrical engineering. Her group uses SPM predominantly via Piezoresponse Force Microscopy, (PFM), to quantify the piezoelectric response of molecular crystals, leading to the discovery and design of multiple sustainable piezoelectric energy harvesters She has been awarded over €2.5M from Research Ireland and the European Research Council to work on both in-silico and ex-silico engineering of biomolecular crystals, for application areas in eco-friendly sensing and pharmaceuticals. She is Chair of the Users’ Council for the Irish Centre of High-End Computing (ICHEC). She has been awarded the British Association of Crystal Growth Young Scientist of the Year Award and is the 2023 Research Ireland Early Career Researcher of the Year.
Robert Harniman
Dr Robert Harniman is focussed on harnessing the interdisciplinary relevance of scanning probe microscopy and has been active in the development and utilisation of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and associated techniques since 2007. After exploring the hydrogen bonding of R6 peptides in a Nuffield grant Robert joined the group of Prof. M Miles FRS in 2008. Here he designed and built the world’s first high-speed non-contact vertically oriented probe (VOP) microscope, achieving remarkable resolution imaging molecular ultra-structure. Having applied the technique to synthetic self-assembly and electro-chemistry Robert utilised the unique balance of sensitivity and control in VOP microscopy in the world-first direct measurement of the spin-momentum of photons, proving the existence of a fundamental quantum force. In 2012 Dr Harniman took charge of the AFM facility at the University of Bristol. Here Robert has driven AFM as an interdisciplinary platform, collaborating across Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, Medical Sciences, and the Faculties of Life Sciences and Engineering. From identifying electron emission sites in diamond electrodes, enhanced photovoltaics, and cellulose nano-crystal reinforcement, to the effect of actin expansion of the nucleus during mitosis, the development of synthetic proto-tissues, and the effect of changes in gravity on cartilage, his investigations are varied and far-reaching.
In 2023 Dr Harniman received the Vice President’s award from the RMS in acknowledgement of his contributions to his field and others. He has since secured funding through the BBSRC-Alert 2023 to build an AFM technology platform of his own design. The system provides holistic characterisation with direct correlation, of AFM with high-resolution fluorescence optical microscopy, Raman spectral chemical analysis and nano-injection/manipulation measuring material properties over length scales from single biomolecules to tissue, all in biologically relevant environments.
As Technical Research Director at the University of Bristol Robert champions the importance of technicians, research technical professionals and skilled experts, and their vital contributions to the fabric of UK research and innovation.
Dr Harniman “I fervently believe that microscopy, as a field, is a truly interdisciplinary environment which provides an accessible gateway to all forms of science.”
George Heath
George is a University Academic Fellow at the University of Leeds, appointed across the School of Physics & Astronomy and the School of Biomedical Sciences. His current research group focuses on developing High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy methods to study the structural dynamics of single biomolecules. Before starting his group, he held a postdoctoral position in New York with Prof. Simon Scheuring at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University. George obtained his PhD in Physics from the University of Leeds in 2015. In 2023, George was awarded an EPSRC Open Fellowship to continue developing AFM methods.
Samuel Jarvis
I am a Senior Lecturer in Physics, Director of the Lancaster IsoLab, and head of Lancaster XPS. I lead the Atomic Imaging and Surface Science group at Lancaster University, where my research is driven by the desire to explore fundamental phenomena using atomic scale imaging and molecular assembly, and to address major challenges in translating functional 2D and 3D molecular materials into real-world environments. My research spans funded projects addressing fundamental surface science, molecular electronics, thermoelectric green energy materials, single atom catalysts, green hydrogen generation, and atomically engineered 2D materials.
Facilities available in our group include ultra-high vacuum (UHV) molecular deposition, solution self-assembly, 2D material fabrication, atomic force microscopy (AFM), nanomechanical and conductive AFM, UHV scanning tunnelling microscopy (UHV-STM), non-contact atomic force microscopy (ncAFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray standing wave studies (XSW) at the national Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility.
David Morgan
David is the Technical Sales Manager at Nanosurf’s UK office, which covers the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. Nanosurf manufacturers next level Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) for research, quality control and educational purposes. David has an MChem degree in Chemistry from the University of Oxford and worked there on research projects inducing crystal formation inside carbon nanotubes, electrical and electrochemical measurements of nanoscale polymer junctions and their use in the synthesis of glucose biosensors. David then spent 11 years at Windsor Scientific, initially as a development scientist working on their combined AFM/SECM system and eventually being responsible for sales and technical support of their range of surface science instruments including AFM systems, 3D optical profilers and nanoindenters. He joined Nanosurf in 2018 as they expand their worldwide presence.
Jacob Pattem
Dr Jacob Pattem is a multidisciplinary biophysical scientist whose research lies at the interface of physics, micro-to-molecular biology, and nanotechnology. He utilizes advanced multiscale, 5-dimensional correlative AFM-based microscopy approaches (X, Y, Z imaging, force, and time), revealing structure-function relations in human, animal and plant health and disease. His research focuses on unravelling molecular informed mechanisms that underpin biophysical responses to complex biological processes such as dental erosion, single-cell microbial colonization, biofilm control, mucus barrier modulation, gene-structure function in plant health and alternatives to anti-microbial resistance in infection. Throughout this he has always aimed at conducting research with the goal of clinical translation for patient benefit, particularly, those suffering from debilitating health conditions and 3rd world rural communities with poor access and reluctance to treatment.
Dalia Yablon
Dalia Yablon is the founder of SurfaceChar, an AFM and nanoindentation based measurement, consulting, and training company in the Greater Boston area since 2013. Dalia also serves as Technical Program Chair of TechConnect World. In addition to editing a book on “SPM in Industrial Applications” (Wiley), Dalia’s research focuses on nanomechanical characterization methods and soft material characterization. She holds an A.B. in Chemistry from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Columbia University.
AGM
The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the AFM & other Scanning Probe Microscopies Section of the Royal Microscopical Society will take place at 12:10pm on Wednesday 2 July 2025 during mmc2025 incorporating EMAG 2025.
All the Society’s AGMs are free to attend for both members and non-members.