Atomic and Molecular Imaging of Adhesive Molecules

Abstract

We developed new approaches with high resolution transmission electron microscopy in order to image beam-labile molecular structures which are important to the Navy in biofouling. In particular, we studied the adhesive components of two important marine biofoulers, Achnanthes and Stauronesis. We found interesting molecular structures which may contribute to the attachment of these diatoms to substrates such as ship and submarine surfaces. We produced a dichotomous key to help assess and describe in an objective way the complex molecular structures observed. We studied the effects of electron beam irradiation of the samples and learned that the uranyl acetate negative stain "protects" the samples from degradation during irradiation. These studies will augment x-ray crystallographic investigations in understanding the structural basis for unwanted molecular adhesion which is so common in the marine environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 29, 1999
Accession Number
ADA359782

Entities

People

  • Malcom Brown Jr

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adhesion
  • Adhesives
  • Attachment
  • Biopolymers
  • Diameters
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Electrons
  • Environment
  • High Resolution
  • Materials
  • Microscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Molecules
  • Substrates
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy
  • X Rays

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene