Compositions and methods for etching an implantable device having a cobalt chrome surface are disclosed. The compositions generally include at least two mineral acids, iron (Fe), and certain component metals of the cobalt chrome to be etched. For example, when etching a cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy, the metals may include chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and optionally, cobalt (Co). The at least two mineral acids may include hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO.sub.3), and hydrofluoric acid (HF). Alternatively, the composition may be an electrolyte composition useful for electrochemical etching of the implantable device. These compositions and methods may generate nanoscale geometry on the surface of the implantable device to provide implants with improved osseointegration, biocompatibility, and healing after surgery.

An electromechanical system for detecting cancerous state of a single cell. The electromechanical system includes an aspirating mechanism, an electrical measurement mechanism, and a processing mechanism. The aspirating mechanism is configured to extract a single cell from a suspension of a plurality of suspended biological cells, hold the extracted single cell, and apply a mechanical aspiration to the held single cell by applying a suction force to the held single cell. The electrical measurement mechanism is configured to apply a set of electrical signals to the single cell before and after applying the mechanical aspiration, measure a first set of electrical responses from the held single cell corresponding to the applied set of electrical signals before the mechanical aspiration, and measure a second set of electrical responses from the mechanically aspirated single cell corresponding to the applied set of electrical signals before the mechanical aspiration. The processing mechanism, including a data processor, configured to detect cancerous state of the single cell based on a difference between the first set of electrical responses and the second set of electrical responses.

Compositions and methods for etching a surface of an implantable device are disclosed. The compositions generally include one or more alkali components, such as a metal hydroxide and an amine, one or more chelating agents, and optionally iron (Fe) and/or certain component metals of the metal or alloy to be etched. For example, when etching a titanium device, the metals may include titanium (Ti). Alternatively, the composition may be an electrolyte composition useful for electrochemical etching of the implantable device. These compositions and methods may generate nanoscale geometry on the surface of the implantable device to provide implants with accelerate osseointegration and healing after surgery.

An electrical probe is disclosed for measuring an electrical response from a biological cell. The electrical probe includes a tungsten microwire having a sharpened tip section, a catalyst layer formed on the sharpened tip section of the tungsten microwire, and an array of nanotube electrodes vertically aligned on the catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst bilayer including a nickel layer over a gold layer, and the nanotube electrodes include a plurality of silicon nanotubes (SiNTs).

An electrical probe is disclosed for measuring an electrical response from a biological cell. The electrical probe includes a tungsten microwire having a sharpened tip section, a catalyst layer formed on the sharpened tip section of the tungsten microwire, and an array of nanotube electrodes vertically aligned on the catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst bilayer including a nickel layer over a gold layer, and the nanotube electrodes include a plurality of silicon nanotubes (SiNTs).

A steel sheet for cans has, on the surface thereof, in order from the steel sheet side, a chromium metal layer and a hydrous chromium oxide layer. The chromium metal layer is deposited in an amount of 65-200 mg/m.sup.2, and the hydrous chromium oxide layer is deposited in an amount of 3-15 mg/m.sup.2 in terms of chromium. The chromium metal layer includes: a flat chromium metal layer that has a thickness of at least 7 nm; and a granular chromium metal layer that includes granular protrusions that are formed on the surface of the flat chromium metal layer. The maximum grain size of the granular protrusions is 100 nm or smaller. The number density of the granular protrusions per unit area is 10/m.sup.2 or higher.

A steel sheet for cans has, on the surface thereof, in order from the steel sheet side, a chromium metal layer and a hydrous chromium oxide layer. The chromium metal layer is deposited in an amount of 65-200 mg/m.sup.2, and the hydrous chromium oxide layer is deposited in an amount of 3-15 mg/m.sup.2 in terms of chromium. The chromium metal layer includes: a flat chromium metal layer that has a thickness of at least 7 nm; and a granular chromium metal layer that includes granular protrusions that are formed on the surface of the flat chromium metal layer. The maximum grain size of the granular protrusions is 100 nm or smaller. The number density of the granular protrusions per unit area is 10/m.sup.2 or higher.

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an emitter in which the tip of the emitter can be formed into a desired shape even when various materials are used for the emitter. The method includes performing an electrolytic polishing process of polishing a front end of a conductive emitter material so that a diameter of the front end is gradually reduced toward a tip; performing a first etching process by irradiating a processing portion of the emitter material processed by the electrolytic polishing process with a charged particle beam; performing a sputtering process by irradiating the pointed portion formed by the first etching process with a focused ion beam; and performing a secondary etching process of further sharpening the tip by an electric field induced gas etching processing while observing a crystal structure of the tip of the pointed portion processed by the sputtering process using a field ion microscope.

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an emitter in which the tip of the emitter can be formed into a desired shape even when various materials are used for the emitter. The method includes performing an electrolytic polishing process of polishing a front end of a conductive emitter material so that a diameter of the front end is gradually reduced toward a tip; performing a first etching process by irradiating a processing portion of the emitter material processed by the electrolytic polishing process with a charged particle beam; performing a sputtering process by irradiating the pointed portion formed by the first etching process with a focused ion beam; and performing a secondary etching process of further sharpening the tip by an electric field induced gas etching processing while observing a crystal structure of the tip of the pointed portion processed by the sputtering process using a field ion microscope.

A single-cell-based electromechanical method for cancerous state detection including the steps of preparing a suspension of individually suspended biological cells, extracting a single cell from the suspension, holding the extracted single cell from the suspension, measuring a first electrical response of the held single cell, step-wised mechanical aspirating the held single cell to form a mechanically deformed cell, and measuring an electrical response of the held single cell after each step of mechanical aspirating. The cancerous state of the single cell is determined based on the changes in the measured electrical responses.