| Abstract
| - We focus on the role of water in a protein-resistant poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) layer. Using the combinationof two experimental techniques, namely, the extended surface forces apparatus and the quartz crystalmicrobalance, we demonstrate that the water content inside these surface-grafted layers is over 80 vol% while the conformational space of the PEG chains is significantly modulated in water. Discrete andreversible film thickness transitions of 1.25 Å size are shown to occur when the film is compressed, afinding that suggests a high degree of organization in the PEG/water complex. The results are discussedin terms of the excellent protein resistance properties of this type of surface.
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