The experiments conducted at the SoLINano laboratory (Politecnico di Milano) utilize atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize a prototype crystal (highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, HOPG) immersed in a chemical bath (specifically, sulfuric acid as an electrolyte). The measurements can be understood in terms of system calibration for experiments conducted on minerals. In the published article, the behaviour of graphite within the electrolyte is compared with another less ordered system prepared by burning a plastic sheet with a laser sources.
To read the article:
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/23/7333