The Optics11 Chiaro is the only Nanoindenter in Australia. It measures force and displacement to investigate the micro-mechanical properties of biomaterials ranging in stiffness between 10 Pa and 1 GPa. These include single cells, native or engineered tissues, spheroids/organoids, hydrogels, biofilms and other non-organic specimens.
The Chiaro is combined to the LSM700 Inverted Confocal Microscope, allowing high-resolution imaging of mechanically characterized material which enables structure-stiffness analysis or more advanced mechanobiology experiments such as mechanically stimulate cells to induce calcium waves or measure cardiac cell beating amplitude.
See LSM700 Inverted Confocal Microscope
Assess stiffness and viscoelastic properties of biological or inorganic specimens to compare mechanical properties. For example;
DataViewer analysis
Stiffness/viscoelasticity of [specimen] was tested using a CHIARO nanoindenter system (Optics11, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). A colloidal probe with a spring constant of [x] N/m and a diameter of [n] μm was used. Before testing, the sensitivity calibration of the cantilever was conducted by indenting a hard surface (i.e. a glass Petri dish).
Dr Scott Page, BSc, PhD
Head, Micro Imaging Facility
s.page@victorchang.edu.au
Discover more instruments from the Micro Imaging Facility Visit other Innovation Centre Facilities
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Gadigal of the Eora nation, on which we meet, work, and discover.
Our Western Australian laboratories pay their respect to the Whadjuk Noongar who remain as the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land.