Biolin Scientific KSV Nima MicroBAM

Biolin Scientific KSV Nima MicroBAM is an innovative instrument that provides a non-invasive way to image mono-molecular layers at the air-water interface. With this technology, it is possible to visualize and study monolayers before and after deposition, making it an essential tool for researchers in material science, chemistry, and biophysics.

One of the main advantages of MicroBAM is its ability to provide a quick quality check of monolayers before deposition. The instrument enables observation of monolayer/film homogeneity during compression/expansion at known surface pressures, which can help researchers to optimize their deposition parameters such as compression speed, waiting times, temperature, and subphase content. This saves time and resources by ensuring the monolayer is precise as desired before deposition.

Another application of MicroBAM is in Langmuir layer structure and behavior studies. The instrument allows for observing phase changes, phase separation, domain size, shape, and packing of monolayers/films. Additionally, it can be used to monitor surface reactions such as photochemical reactions, polymerization reactions, and enzyme kinetics in real time. It is also helpful in detecting and monitoring surface-active materials such as protein adsorption and nanoparticle flotation.

MicroBAM features a high-resolution camera (12 µm) combined with a large field of view, preferred for film homogeneity and domain size studies. Researchers can capture still images of monolayers manually or automatically as a function of time or surface pressure. The USB-compatible camera makes it easy to connect to a computer and use in minutes.

The KSV NIMA MicroBAM is compatible with most KSV NIMA Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Troughs. By detecting changes in the refractive index of the water surface in the presence of surfactant molecules, MicroBAM provides information on homogeneity, phase behavior, and film morphology without the need for any external agents, such as fluorescent dyes, which could interfere with the Langmuir layer.

The KSV NIMA MicroBAM is a powerful and easy-to-use instrument designed for non-invasive imaging of mono-molecular layers at the air-water interface. With an angle-of-incidence range of 53 degrees (fixed), a light source power of 50mW, and a light source wavelength of 659nm, it offers excellent performance for visualizing monolayers. The MicroBAM camera features a high-resolution imaging capability (12µm) and a large field of view (3600×4000µm), which makes it ideal for film homogeneity and domain size studies.

The KSV NIMA MicroBAM is compatible with most KSV NIMA Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Troughs, making it a versatile tool for studying monolayer behavior and structure. The instrument comes with an integrated polarizer and analyzer, while the camera is connected directly to the computer via USB, making it easy to use and set up. It also features adjustable exposure time and gain, image resizing, contrast enhancement, and particle size determination capabilities.