Single Evaluation of C. Elegans inside Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

This paper presents the single evaluation of Caenorhabditis Elegans (C. Elegans) by the nanorobotic manipulation system inside an Environmental-Scanning Electron Microscope (E-SEM). C. Elegans has complex outer and inner structures constructed by approximately one thousand cells. Their fine structures were observed by E-SEM directly; without any drying or dyeing processes. For example, the lateral alae are the surface mark of seam cell body. The observation environments are controlled under different E-SEM chamber pressures for clear observation of C. Elegans. The local stiffness evaluation method of C. Elegans was proposed by buckling nanoprobe. The Silicon nanoprobe was fabricated by Focus Ion Beam (FIB) etching at the tip of Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) cantilever. The measurement position can arbitrarily be controlled by the nanorobotic manipulator inside the E-SEM. The local stiffness on or around the lateral alae evaluated from the experimental results. This local stiffness measurement technique can readily be applied to reveal unknown biological local stiffness, cell health conditions and novel cell diagnosis.