Fluidic Force Microscopy

Fluidic force microscopy is a versatile bionanotechnology platform that integrates atomic force microscopy with microfluidic probes. This hybrid approach enables precise measurement and application of forces across sub-nanonewton to micronewton ranges while simultaneously dispensing or sampling sub-femtolitre to picolitre volumes, all with real-time optical visualization at sub-micrometre resolution. In recent years, fluidic force microscopy has emerged as an enabling tool for minimally invasive single-cell manipulation, subcellular analysis and high-resolution nanoprinting applications. This Primer describes the fundamental principles underlying the combination of atomic force microscopy with microchannelled cantilevers, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the unique capabilities of fluidic force microscopy and its rapidly expanding range of applications in biological research and nanotechnology. Fluidic force microscopy combines atomic force microscopy with microfluidic probes to enable measurement and manipulation of materials at sub-micrometre resolution. In this Primer, Zambelli et al. discuss the principles of fluidic force microscopy and applications in biological research and nanotechnology.