Comments on: Researchers Capture the First-Ever Image of a Single Molecule http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: ScienceSnob http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/#comment-11243 ScienceSnob Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:41:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/#comment-11243 I think you missed the boat. Actually, this is not the first-ever image of a single molecule, that has been possible for quite some time. This IS, however, the first ever AFM image in which the chemical structure of a molecule is visible (you can see where the atoms are). There are many STM images with equally good resolution, but they map electron density of states so you get images of orbitals, whereas this is a map of where chemical bonds would form (where the sticks would attach in a ball and stick model). At higher temperatures, molecules wiggle around more so it's harder to image them with such clarity. The sensor has to be focused in order to raster scan the surface (it's like reading braille rather than taking a picture). I think you missed the boat. Actually, this is not the first-ever image of a single molecule, that has been possible for quite some time. This IS, however, the first ever AFM image in which the chemical structure of a molecule is visible (you can see where the atoms are). There are many STM images with equally good resolution, but they map electron density of states so you get images of orbitals, whereas this is a map of where chemical bonds would form (where the sticks would attach in a ball and stick model).

At higher temperatures, molecules wiggle around more so it’s harder to image them with such clarity.

The sensor has to be focused in order to raster scan the surface (it’s like reading braille rather than taking a picture).

]]> By: PEM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/#comment-11242 PEM Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:57:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/#comment-11242 Astounding. Benzene rings actually do look like hexagons! I always wondered why we had pictures of atoms but not molecules. Now how can we image molecules at slightly higher temperatures? Also why is the sensor so focused? Instead of a probe that is sensitive only on the tip, why not develop a planar sensor array with similar properties? Perhaps if we accomplish those two things, we can start imaging molecular events. Astounding. Benzene rings actually do look like hexagons! I always wondered why we had pictures of atoms but not molecules.

Now how can we image molecules at slightly higher temperatures?

Also why is the sensor so focused? Instead of a probe that is sensitive only on the tip, why not develop a planar sensor array with similar properties?

Perhaps if we accomplish those two things, we can start imaging molecular events.

]]> By: Zachary http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/#comment-11241 Zachary Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:11:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/08/31/researchers-capture-the-first-ever-image-of-a-single-molecule/#comment-11241 This is plain awesome. This is plain awesome.

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