Surface Forces Apparatus Solutions, Training, and Research

Surface Forces Apparatus Users

Our Systems

Our Surface Forces Apparatus (SFA) systems combined with multiple-beam interferometry can measure forces (static- equilibrium or dynamic- non-equilibrium) between two surfaces in vapors or liquids with a sensitivity of a few nN and a distance resolution of 1Å (0.1 nm).

μSFA

The uSFA, or micro-SFA, is a new, compact, microscope-ready SFA for measuring the normal forces between surfaces and other interfacial phenomena. The compact chamber accommodates typical short focal length, large diameter, objectives needed for fluorescence, confocal and other common high magnification microscopy techniques.

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Surface Forces Apparatus 2000 SFA2000

SFA 2000

The SFA 2000 is our full-featured configurable SFA offering the imposition and measurement of both normal and shear forces. Friction configurations (FD-SFA) support 1D and 2D friction sensing and load sensing using either metal-film, or high-sensitivity semiconducting, strain gauging.

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What’s New

Petroleum Research Oil Emulsion

In this work , Ling Zhang, Lei Xie, Xinwei Cui, Jingsi Chen, and Hongbo Zeng utilize quantitative force measurement methods such as a SurForce SFA2000 surface forces apparatus (SFA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to explore different oil industry relevant systems. Interaction forces between petroleum components (e.g., asphaltenes) and mineral solids in both organic solvents and aqueous solutions are reviewed and correlated to the wettability change of reservoir solids.

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Client’s Testimonials

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Tonya Berkley

"The SFA technique is the gold standard for measuring forces between surfaces.”

University of California Davis, Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences
Dr. Matthew Tirrell

"I don't know of another technique that can simultaneously measure surface forces, absolute surface separation and provide direct visualization of the contact area to unequivocally determine the surface energy.”

Dean & Pritzker Director, Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago
Dong Woog Lee

"The SurForce team is very helpful in achieving our research needs.  I am looking forward to acquiring the new uSFA to complement our SFA 2000."

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Jing

"The SFA is critical to our research needs. The SurForce Team provided us with an SFA turn-key system greatly simplifying our procurement and continues to support system customization through insightful and comprehensive engineering design services."

School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

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