Abstract
The scientific survey in deep sea is active to investigate where mineral resources exist and how biological systems work there. In the conventional method of the deep sea survey, we transport seawater samples from deep sea to the laboratory to perform various measurements and analyses. However, the method has a disadvantage that the collected samples are usually degraded by the changes of environmental conditions such as pressure and temperature, and by the lapse of time. To overcome this disadvantage, various chemical sensors which are available in deep sea have been developed so far. But, we still need to use the conventional method based on sea water sampling in order to "observe" micro scale samples existing in deep sea.
UAFM for in situ observation of micro samples in deep sea
Recently we have been developing an underwater atomic force microscope (UAFM) which enables in situ observation of micro samples existing in deep sea with very high spatial resolution. Our UAFM is composed of an AFM stage with filters for collecting and fixing the samples, a self-sensitive AFM cantilever coated with Parylene to use it in sea water, a stepping motor, a piezo tube scanner, and a pressure tight case. We put the developed UAFM into shallow sea area and performed AFM imaging tests. The results of the test imaging showed that micro scale samples whose size was about 1 μm or less could be observed with the developed UAFM. In the future, we will mount the UAFM on an underwater vehicle, and perform the imaging test in deep sea.
Testing the prototype of UAFM system
Collaboration
- Center for Integrated Underwater Observation Technology, IIS, University of Tokyo
- JAMSTEC
Sponsor
- JSPS
- MEXT