Surface Measurement
Surface Measurement - Related Videos
12:49
Measurement of Aggregate Cohesion by Tissue Surface Tensiometry
0 Views •
Cited by 10 •
2011
We describe a method of measuring binding energy, expressible as tissue surface tension, between cells within 3D tissue-like aggregates. Differences in tissue surface tension have been demonstrated to correlate with invasiveness of lung, muscle, and brain tumors, and are fundamental determinants of establishing spatial relationships between different cell types.
08:53
The Measurement of Unsteady Surface Pressure Using a Remote Microphone Probe
0 Views •
Cited by 11 •
2016
Here, we present a protocol to measure, with high spatial resolution, the unsteady surface pressure in turbulent flows. This method demonstrates the construction of a remote microphone probe (RMP) and the determination of its frequency-dependent, complex transfer function. An analytical determination of the dynamic response is presented and validated.
08:55
In vivo Measurement of the Mouse Pulmonary Endothelial Surface Layer
0 Views •
Cited by 17 •
2013
The endothelial glycocalyx/endothelial surface layer is ideally studied using intravital microscopy. Intravital microscopy is technically challenging in a moving organ such as the lung. We demonstrate how simultaneous brightfield and fluorescent microscopy may be used to estimate endothelial surface layer thickness in a freely-moving in vivo mouse lung.
07:07
Adherence of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory
0 Views •
Cited by 4 •
2018
An easy method for measuring and characterizing bacterial adhesion to plants, particularly roots and sprouts, is described in this article.
10:49
Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
0 Views •
Cited by 17 •
2014
Here, we present a protocol explaining the use of Kelvin probe force microscopy as a tool for generating high resolution nano-scale surface potential maps. This tool was applied to assess the role of surface potential on the binding capacity of microorganisms to substrate surfaces.
FAQs
Different instruments reveal different aspects of the same surface. A profilometer traces height variations, while an optical scanner interprets reflected or scattered light to characterize topography. A contact-angle system instead evaluates how a liquid droplet spreads, providing information about wettability. Selecting among them depends on which surface property matters to the engineering question.
Surface height variation can affect how two parts interact, especially when friction, sealing, adhesion, coating performance, corrosion behavior, or wear are important. Measuring roughness and topography therefore turns a suspected surface condition into quantitative evidence. Engineers can relate component behavior to manufacturing processes or surface treatments rather than judging performance from appearance alone.
Contact-angle systems assess wettability by observing how a liquid droplet spreads across a material. Greater or lesser spreading supplies quantitative surface information that can be considered alongside texture and topography. In engineering, this is especially relevant when evaluating adhesion or coating performance, because the measurement connects a surface treatment with how the material interacts with a liquid.
Profilometers and optical scanners are not interchangeable in what they directly measure. Profilometers trace height variations, whereas optical scanners analyze reflected or scattered light to assess surface topography. Contact-angle systems address wettability through droplet spreading. Comparing these approaches helps engineers match the measurement principle to the property under investigation and avoid treating all surface data as equivalent.
A practical measurement workflow begins by identifying the surface feature linked to the engineering problem, such as roughness, topography, or wettability. The appropriate instrument is then selected, measurements are collected using its corresponding sensing principle, and the results are related to manufacturing or treatment conditions. This sequence supports quality control and process optimization.
Surface measurement is useful when engineers need to evaluate a manufactured component, investigate a failure, or optimize a surface treatment. The resulting data can support decisions about friction, adhesion, sealing, coatings, corrosion, and wear. Because the method connects measured surface condition with component performance, it contributes to designing more reliable parts rather than only inspecting finished appearance.
During failure analysis, quantitative surface data can help determine whether texture, roughness, topography, or wettability is associated with poor performance. The same measurements can compare components produced by different manufacturing processes or treatments. This makes surface measurement valuable for tracing performance differences, refining production conditions, and checking whether an intervention produces the intended surface state.
In engineering design, the most useful result is not an isolated surface value but a connection between that value and function. Data from surface measurement can inform component reliability across mechanical, materials, biomedical, and manufacturing engineering. It helps teams evaluate treated surfaces and coatings in relation to adhesion, sealing, friction, corrosion, or wear.