Here we propose a simple way of patterning silk-elastin-like peptide (SELP) nanofibers on mica using Atomic Force Microscopy.  The local nanomechanical force exerted by AFM tip accelerates the formation of the nucleation sites where SELP nanofibers elongate. As force increases, the nucleation sites form more readily, indicating the force is lowering the activation energy of nuclei formation.  The quantitative kinetic analysis reveals the time required to observe the first nucleation fits well with Bell model. 

Bionanolithography: Mechanically guided self-assembly of silk-elastin-like protein using Atomic Force Microscopy

244th National Meeting (2012)

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