Many of the biological samples suitable for imaging with atomic force microscopy (AFM) are subject to artifacts if they are dried. This problem
is not unique to AFM imaging. It has long been a concern in electron microscopy and methods have been developed to minimize its effect with that imaging technique (namely fixation, critical point drying, and environmental EM). The solution to this problem when using AFM is much simpler. Rather than drying the sample at all, one can image quite successfully with AFM in fluid.