Mechanical Stimulation and Stiffness Characterization Device for Electrospun Cell Culture Scaffolds
Thesis
A., Alhudaithy, Soliman . 2016
Publication Work Type:
MS
Publishing City:
Storrs, CT, USA
Publication Online URL:
Thesis Type:
Master's Thesis
School:
The University of Connecticut, School of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Dept.
Publication Abstract:
Abstract
Mechanical stimulation of in vitro tissues showed a huge potential in studying cell mechanics and their related regenerative tissue engineering applications. This thesis proposes a device that applies measurable uniaxial longitudinal tensile forces to 3D tissue engineered polymer substrates, under cell culture environment, for mechanical properties characterization. Stiffness characterization of substrate polymers is important since they form the mechanical transduction scheme to cultured cells. The device measures the stiffness of substrate polymers by continuously monitoring their elongation in real-time due to (<0.5N) applied forces.
In this study, Poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) and Cellulose Acetate (CA) nanofibers of different solution composition were electrospun and mechanically tested. The measured elastic modulus of PCL 100, PCL:CA 95:5, PCL:CA 90:10, and PCL:CA 80:20 was 8.96 N/mm2, 10.61 N/mm2, 12.39 N/mm2 and 17.66 N/mm2, respectively. The obtained results follow literature where they show an increase in the electrospun substrates’ stiffness with CA % increase.