Thesis-PDF - IAP/TU Wien

Abstract
Nanotechnology as of today is still in its infancy. Although we learnt about twenty
five years ago how to actually "see" individual atoms, the assembly and creation of
nanoscale structures is still a difficult undertake. It is either slow if atoms must be
manipulated one by one or the process can only be controlled to a limited degree
(e.g. when bulk matter is treated in such a way that structures with features at
the nanoscale are produced).
One way to extend our nanotechnological knowledge is drawing inspirations from
naturally occurring systems and processes. 3 Within the tiniest realms of nature
we can already find robust concepts for marvelous miniaturization, the accommodation
of a maximum of functional units within only small volume. Incessant
evolutionary optimization provides the driving force behind efficiency, versatility,
and often simple and elegant solutions - knowledge that can often be applied to
the study, design and engineering of nanotechnological systems.
Matter produced and assembled by even simple life forms is remarkable. Euglena
gracilis, a single-celled algal species, performs tasks as diverse as sensing
the environment and reacting to it, converting and storing energy and metabolizing
nutrients, living as a plant or an animal depending on the environmental
constraints. Cell functions are often based on materials produced with molecular
precision.
In this thesis, a method for Atomic Force Microscope investigation of the alga Euglena
gracilis was developed and measurements under different scanning conditions
were carried out. Data was obtained on whole cells as well as cell organelles. Some
of the obtained morphological algal features were compared to existing literature
data (mostly Transmission Electron Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope
images). The possibility of AFM force spectroscopy and viscoelastic analysis on
the nanoscale concerning this biological system has been demonstrated. The outlook
points at possible directions of future research, that extend the approach here
presented.
3 A good example that those concepts can work in the engineering context, is the already
highly successful field of bionics, where design principles from Nature are applied to artificial
systems. Some found solutions have also had great commercial success (e.g. Velcro, airplane
winglets or hydrophobic paint).
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