n 1997, out of many submitted AFM images, Digital Instruments chose an image made at Advanced Surface Microscopy to be among those for their 1997 calendar. The image was displayed for the month of November. The image, shown below, shows the transparent polymer coating on the inside of an aluminum beverage can. This coating protects the can from being etched by the acidic beverage and likewise prevents contamination of the beverage by the aluminum.
Phase images shows that the surface principally consists of two or three different materials. Fine bumps selectively decorate the discontinuous phase (bright areas). Sample courtesy of O’Malia’s Grocery.
