Using the collaborative power of the internet to calibrate microscopes | Dr Chris Gibson
Channel: verbalize science
Date: 2018-10-03

Full Audio here: https://verbalize.science/talk_page/using-the-collaborative-power-of-the-internet-to-calibrate-microscopes-1519958259704x513951366503727100

Atomic force microscope (AFM) is a technique used to measure very small forces and masses.

The instrument relies on calibrating the spring constant of cantilevers (how easy they flex) to give reliable results.

The problem is no global standard to do this. This means that a comparison of force measurements between different laboratories is not possible.

Although there are many ways to do this, in this paper, we describe a virtual instrument (an internet-based initiative) whereby users from all laboratories can instantly and quantitatively compare their calibration measurements to those of others—standardising AFM force measurements.

This global calibration initiative uses a single website where users upload currently available data.

A proof-of-principle demonstration of this initiative is presented using measured data from five independent laboratories across three countries.