The presence of a solid surface can induce changes in the structure and in the dynamics of an adjacent liquid. This broken symmetry can give rise to molecular ordering effects, extending a few nanometers into the liquid. Structural forces may arise.
The extended surface forces apparatus (eSFA) can detect density anomalies, which may form the basis of future nano-fluidic devices. A nano-tribological study using alkane model lubricant gives insights into the phenomena of "stick-slip" and shear-induced molecular ordering.
The hydrophilic balance dictates the molecular interactions at aqueous interfaces. Using a combination of methods, we studied protein-conformation and the protein-mediated boundary lubrication properties, which are relevant for the performance of artificial joints.
In other applications, the non-specific adsorption of proteins at the solid-liquid interface is unwanted – for example on the surface of bio-sensors. Surface-grafted PEG can prevent non-specific protein adsorption. A high-resolution measurement in the eSFA reveals molecular details that allow new quantitative insights into the phenomenon of protein resistance.

Vortragssprache: englisch