Affiliations: [a] School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EHI4 4AS, Scotland, UK | [b] Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany | [c] Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK | [x] Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Laboratory for Materials Technology, University of Applied Science, Regensburg, Germany | [y] University Clinic, Department of Traumatology, Regensburg, Germany
Abstract: The overall aim of this study is to establish relationships between the histology of biological tissues and their mechanical properties, especially their dynamic modulus. The emphasis is on the physical scale of the probe used in relation to the size of the histological features in the material of interest. The selection of a model system (connective tissue) is described along with a corresponding gelatin-based system in which the make-up of the material can be “engineered” reproducibly. Next three experimental rigs are described with regard to their suitability for making measurements at a variety of scales; the micro-scale, the meso-scale and the macro-scale. Finally, some preliminary measurements on the micro-scale rig are presented and preliminary conclusions drawn on the methodology.
