The AFM 30 includes a sensor 10 having a cantilevered member 16 to which a pointed or sharp tip or stylus 18 is integrally or otherwise suitably mounted, wherein the tip 18 is movable over the surface 32 (or otherwise detects the surface or object such as a molecule) causing the cantilevered member 16 to cant as the contour of the surface 32 changes, thus sensing changes in surface contour or othe