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Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to study the state of the paper fibers with the aim of providing qualitative and semi-quantitative information on degradation and aging. The work [1] reports the results of tests of various paper products subjected to deliberate aging processes under the influence of various factors. Chemical and biological degradation processes were modeled by aging in a climatic chamber (80 ° C, 65% RH) and the effects of Aspergillus terreus attack, providing analysis and classification of common degradation phenomena related to paper products. The above issue is closely related to the subject of literary monument conservation and is the subject of joint efforts of scientists and librarians [2]. The presented set is an attempt to check whether the AFM device, at the author's disposal, enables the observation of the surface structure of printing products. Two types of paper were imaged: Multicopy, A4 - white, 80 g, and A4 280G SATIN IP SATIN. Measurements were made in the semi-contact mode, probe NSG 30, 22 images, 1-12 chalk paper, 13-22 printer paper.

Biophysical cues robustly direct cell responses and are thus important tools for in vitro and translational biomedical applications. High throughput platforms exploring substrates with varying physical properties are therefore valuable. However, currently existing platforms are limited in throughput, the biomaterials used, the capability to segregate between different cues and the assessment of dynamic responses. Here we present a multiwell array (3 × 8) made of a substrate engineered to present topography or rigidity cues welded to a bottomless plate with a 96-well format. Both the patterns on the engineered substrate and the well plate format can be easily customized, permitting systematic and efficient screening of biophysical cues. To demonstrate the broad range of possible biophysical cues examinable, we designed and tested three multiwell arrays to influence cardiomyocyte, chondrocyte and osteoblast function. Using the multiwell array, we were able to measure different cell functionalities using analytical modalities such as live microscopy, qPCR and immunofluorescence. We observed that grooves (5 μm in size) induced less variation in contractile function of cardiomyocytes. Compared to unpatterned plastic, nanopillars with 127 nm height, 100 nm diameter and 300 nm pitch enhanced matrix deposition, chondrogenic gene expression and chondrogenic maintenance. High aspect ratio pillars with an elastic shear modulus of 16 kPa mimicking the matrix found in early stages of bone development improved osteogenic gene expression compared to stiff plastic. We envisage that our bespoke multiwell array will accelerate the discovery of relevant biophysical cues through improved throughput and variety.

This thesis treats static and dynamic surface characterization using radiometric and Fourier optical methods. A Fourier optical method has been developed for real time image processing in paper production and printing applications. It has been shown that the method can be used to measure crepe frequency, an important parameter in tissue paper production, as well as to monitor the wire mark pattern at paper web velocities of up to 20 m/s. The wire mark pattern has been used to measure dimensional variations across a paper web. These are important for the mechanical properties of paper. Imaging of the moving surfaces onto a spatial light modulator, necessary for Fourier optical analysis of opaque objects, constitutes a motion blur problem. This problem has been solved by means of optical motion compensation using a rotating mirror. A rotating mirror system has also been developed for the inspection of small particles fixed to a rotating sample disc. The optical motion compensation configurations have made exposure times of more than two orders of magnitude longer than the exposure time without compensation possible. A light scattering model for opaque objects, for example coated paper, has also been developed and verified, with a coefficient of determination between theory and measurement ranging from r2=0.84 to r2=0.98, on various paper samples. The light scattering model has been used in the development of an instrument based on the photometric stereo principle. In this instrument the reflectance (or color) and topography of opaque samples are determined from two or more images of the sample illuminated from different directions. The method has been successfully used for studies of the relation between topography and print results in gravure and flexographic printing. Comparisons of surface height profiles measured with the photometric stereo method and profiles obtained with mechanical and optical scanning stylus instruments have shown coefficients of determination of up to r2=0.97. The main advantages of the method are the high speed, the scalability and the ability to obtain reflectance and surface height maps of a surface simultaneously.