Figure 5
From: Measuring the Poisson’s Ratio of Fibronectin Using Engineered Nanofibers
FN nanofibers post-release have a nodular nanostructure. (a) An AFM scan of an entire FN nanofiber post-release. (b) The outer edge region contained elliptically-shaped nodules ~80 nm in height that extended 1–1.5 μm inward from the perimeter of the nanofiber. (c) The interior region contained a similar nodular structure although the nodules were smaller and ~40 nm in height. The nodules in the edge region had a significantly larger (d) major axis and (e) minor axis length than the nodules found in the interior region. (f) Comparable to the axis lengths, the cross-sectional area of the nodules in the edge region was statistically greater than the interior nodules. (g) Despite the differently sized nodules, the aspect ratio was consistent, suggesting a similar packing of elliptical dimers within the nodules. Scale bars are (a) 5 μm and (b and d) 500 nm. The symbol ‘#’ indicates a statistically significant difference with P < 0.05.
