Asylum Research

Company Background

Asylum Research is a technology leader in atomic force and scanning probe microscopy (AFM/SPM) for both materials and bioscience applications.  Founded in 1999, Asylum Research is an employee-owned company dedicated to innovative instrumentation for nanoscience and nanotechnology. Their instruments are used for a variety of nanoscience applications in material science, physics, polymers, chemistry, biomaterials, and bioscience, including single molecule mechanical experiments on DNA, protein unfolding and polymer elasticity, as well as force measurements for biomaterials, chemical sensing, polymers, colloidal forces, and adhesion (1a).  

Distributors

Asylum Research and Micra Nanotecnologia entered into a distribution agreement that will enable Asylum to extend its global reach and promote its products in Latin America.   Based in Mexico City, Micra Nanotecnologia, is an experienced microscopy distributor in Latin America, with over two decades specializing in providing AFM and other microscopy instrumentation.  They will sell, install, and support Asylum’s complete line of AFM/SPMs, including the Cypher AFM and the MFP-3D family of AFMs (4).

Asylum Research has a partnership agreement with Spectra Research Corporation (SRC) as its exclusive distributor in Canada. Spectra Research is a subsidiary of Allan Crawford Associates (ACA), one of Canada's largest distributors of electronic components, test equipment, and integrated networking solutions, with headquarters in Ontario, Canada.  SRC has served nanotechnology and surface science markets in Canada since 1993 (2).

As part of its ongoing expansion, Asylum Research has appointed Advanced Technological Solutions Ltd. (ATSL), as its exclusive distributor in Israel.  ATSL managers have served nanotechnology and surface science markets in Israel for over 11 years and offer sales, service and technical support across the country (3).

Innovation and Technology

Asylum’s new Cypher AFM sets the new standard as the world’s fastest and highest resolution AFM.  Cypher provides low-drift closed loop atomic resolution for the most accurate images and measurements possible today, point defect atomic resolution, >20X faster AC imaging with small cantilevers, Spot-On™ automated laser and photodetector alignment for easy setup, integrated thermal, acoustic and vibration control, and broad support for all major AFM/SPM scanning modes and capabilities (1a).

Asylum’s MFP-3D set the standard for AFM technology. The MFP-3D is the first AFM with true independent piezo positioning in all three axes, combined with low noise closed-loop feedback sensor technology. The MFP-3D offers both top and bottom sample viewing and easy integration with most commercially-available inverted optical microscopes (1a).

Products

  • AFM Microscopes - Cypher™ AFM, MFP-3D-BIO™ AFM, MFP-3D™ Stand Alone AFM, MFP-3D-CF™ Integrated, Confocal AFM System
  • Nanoindenting - MFP NanoIndenter
  • Software Features - MacroBuilder™, Thumbnail Viewer Utility, ARgyle™, ARgyle Light™
  • ARC2™ Controller
  • Advanced Imaging - Ztherm™ Modulated Thermal Analysis Option, ORCA™ Conductive AFM Module, iDrive™ Magnetic Actuated Cantilever Holder, Piezo Force Module for MFP-3D, NanoRack™
  • Environmental Controls - Closed Fluid Cell, Fluid Cell Lite, BioHeater™, Petri Dish Holder, PolyHeater™, CoolerHeater, Humidity Sensing Cell, EC Cell
  • System Accessories - MFP-3D™ Extended Head, Vibration Isolation Tables and Hoods , Variable Field Module2, Digital Access Module
  • Cantilevers (1b).

See the Asylum Research location page for more information.

Sources

  1. Asylum Research (2012). Retrieved October 24, 2012
    1. “About Asylum Research” from  www.asylumresearch.com/About/About.shtml
    2. “Products” from www.asylumresearch.com/Products/Products.shtml
  2. AZoNano (2012, June 6).  “Asylum Research Appoint Exclusive Distributor in Canada.” Retrieved October 24, 2012 from www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=25000
  3. AZoNano (2012, July 16). “Asylum Research Appoint Exclusive Distributor in Israel.” Retrieved October 24, 2012 from   www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=25242
  4. Microscopy and Analysis (2010, March 12). “Asylum Research appoints Micra Nanotecnologia as distributor.” Retrieved October 25, 2012 from www.microscopy-analysis.com/news/asylum-research-appoints-micra-nanotecnologia-distributor?c=