Scanning Impedance Imaging

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It is becoming increasingly important in our world today to be able to see objects on the nanometer scale. Understanding the detailed makeup of organs and cells is vital to helping fight and cure different diseases. The Scanning Impedance Imaging project seeks to do this through measurements of electrical impedance. In Figure 1 is a basic model of how the SII works.

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Figure 1

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In Figure 1, we have a probe with a central core of metal surrounded by a nonconducting medium. This is enclosed by a cylindrical metal shielding. The probe is suspended above a conducting plane in an electrically-conductive solution. A sample is placed on the conducting plane and the probe is scanned across the sample while impedance measurements are taken. The result is a two-dimensional reconstruction of the sample.

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Figure 2

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Above in Figure 2 is the picture of a leaf and its corresponding SII image. The SII unveiled parts of the leaf that were not visible to the naked eye. This is shown by the black dot on the upper right corner of the leaf in the SII picture.

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Figure 3: Picture of 180 micron tip. Figure 4: Picture of 180 micron tip. Figure 5: Picture of 180 micron tip.

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