Quantitative Dielectric Measurements of Biomembranes and Oxides in Electrolyte Solutions at High Frequencies

A unique hallmark of atomic force microscopy is the ability to investigate matter with nanoscale spatial resolution in liquid environment. This has enabled access to materials properties, such as surface stiffness, electrochemical activity, piezoelectric response and surface charge/potential, in liquid with a tremendous impact in biology and electrochemistry. Yet, to date dielectric polarization, the fundamental property of materials to orient permanent or induced electric dipoles in response to an external electric field, has remained precluded to AFM-based techniques in liquid environment.