Handbook of Molecular Force Spectroscopy

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Modern materials science and biophysics are increasingly focused on studying and controlling intermolecular interactions on the single-molecule level. Molecular force spectroscopy was developed in the past decade as the result of several unprecedented advances in the capabilities of modern scientific instrumentation, and defines a number of techniques that use mechanical force measurements to study interactions between single molecules and molecular assemblies in chemical and biological systems. Examples of these techniques, which typically target a specific range of experimental systems and geometries, include atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, surface forces apparatus, and magnetic tweezers. With contributions by internationally renowned scientists, Handbook of Molecular Force Spectroscopy is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of modern force spectroscopy, including fundamentals of intermolecular forces, technical aspects of the force measurements, and practical applications. The Handbook presents reviews of fundamental physical concepts of loading single and multiple chemical bonds on the nanometer scale, covers practical aspects of modern single-molecule level techniques, and describes several representative applications of force spectroscopy to the study of chemical and biological processes. Computer modeling of force spectroscopy experiments is addressed as well. In sum, this volume is an authoritative guide to planning, understanding, and analyzing modern molecular force spectroscopy experiments with an emphasis on biophysical research.