Dresden 2026 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 41: Biopolymers, Biomaterials and Bioinspired Functional Materials II (joint session CPP/BP)

CPP 41.5: Talk

Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 18:00–18:15, ZEU/0255

Nanomechanical testing of suspended single nanofibers and humidity-induced glass transition — •Benjamin Schleyer-Thiers¹, Diego Benavente², Yusser Olguin^2,3, and Tomas P. Corrales^1,3 — ¹Physics department of Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile — ²Technological and Scientific Center (CCTVal), Valparaiso, Chile — ³Biotechnology Center Daniel Alkalay Lowitt

In this work we will study the interaction of water molecules with polymeric nanofibers made from hygroscopic biopolymers and contrast them in environments with variable relative humidity. For this, we will suspend single nanofibers over micropatterns etched on silicon. In this suspended configuration, we shall perform three-point bending tests utilizing the environmental Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and detect bending forces of the nanofiber, at different relative humidities. As bending tests are performed over the suspended nanofiber, the position-dependent stiffness can be plotted to find its mechanical modulus through bending models. The stiffness of single nanofibers drops with the increase in relative humidity, hinting a glass transition induced by this environmental condition. To test this behavior, we attempt to perform fracture experiments on a micro structured grid made by photolithography.

Keywords: nanofibers; AFM; relative humidity; biopolymers; mechanical testing