Unveiling Physical Phenomena in Hydrated Soft Materials: Liquid-Phase AFM for Advanced Cosmetic Formulations

In advanced cosmetic science, understanding the fundamental physical and chemical mechanisms behind formulations is essential for enhancing product efficacy. For novel soft materials such as hydrogels and complex delivery systems, macroscopic evaluation alone cannot fully explain the dynamic physical phenomena governing their behavior upon application. In this presentation, I will demonstrate how liquid-phase atomic force microscopy (AFM) serves as a pivotal analytical tool to bridge this gap by probing material dynamics in physiologically and environmentally relevant hydrated states.

The talk will begin with an overview of mapping local mechanical properties and interfacial phenomena using advanced AFM techniques. I will then delve into specific case studies utilizing liquid-phase AFM to monitor dynamic hydration behaviors in situ. Specifically, I will propose analytical strategies for quantifying real-time hydrogel swelling, nanoscale surface reconstruction, local stiffness variations, and energy dissipation. By revealing these nanoscale physical phenomena, this presentation aims to provide actionable insights into material stability and interactions, stimulating further innovations in the design of structurally optimized soft materials for the cosmetic industry.