Measurement of Distance Dependence of Hydrophobic Interaction

We’ve measured distance dependence of hydrophobic interaction with force-sensing piezoresistive cantilevers and footed microparticles. We fabricated footed microparticles whose central flat areas are hydrophobic. The length of these feet determines a distance between hydrophobic surfaces of a microparticle and a substrate. Merits of our method are followings; we can design the distance by changing the length of microparticles’ feet, and it is possible to measure the precise distance dependence of hydrophobic interaction.