Researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas have created a tiny version of the AFM (Atomic Force Microscope, AFM), the size of which corresponds to the size of a coins of small denomination. In addition to the reduction in size, the price tag of the device used to determine the properties of various materials, has also undergone cardinal changes making it more affordable even for not very large research and educational laboratories.

"The standard atomic force microscope is a large and complex instrument with a mass of mechanical parts with complex electronics, with many chains of control and feedback, and with high-quality low-noise amplifiers" - says Dr. Reza Moheimani, - "we managed to minimize all these to the extent possible degree and to place all on the surface of one small chip".