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Nature Nanotechnology 4, 284–285 (1 May 2009) | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.100

Mechanochemistry: Force probes in a bottle

Jeremy M. Lenhardt & Stephen L. Craig

The nanoworld is replete with forces that push and pull on different parts of molecules, and advances in force spectroscopy have made it possible to study the interplay between force, structure and function in individual molecules. The experiments generally involve using optical tweezers, magnetic fields or cantilevers to manipulate 'handles' that have been attached to the ends of large molecules such as biological or synthetic polymers.