Title :
Nano-indentation of epoxy hydro gels for soft tissue applications
Author :
Wanasekara, N.D. ; Vadlamani, V.K. ; Agrawal, A. ; Chalivendra, V.B. ; Calvert, P.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA
Abstract :
Nano-indentation characterization studies on epoxy hydro gels used for soft tissue applications are conducted using atomic force microscope (AFM). Two kinds of hydro gels: (a) plain epoxy hydro gels, and (b) epoxy hydro gels reinforced with three-dimensional polyurethane fiber pattern are considered in this study. The three-dimensional fiber pattern is generated using rapid robo-casting technique. Again these two hydro gel types are tested under five different conditions: (a) dry gel, (b) saturated with certain percentage of water, (c) saturated with 100% water, (d) 100% partially immersed in water, and (e) 100% fully immersed in water. Preliminary results obtained on plain epoxy hydro gels show that the saturated conditions decrease Young´s modulus values by 15%.
Keywords :
Young´s modulus; atomic force microscopy; biological tissues; biomedical materials; casting; fibre reinforced composites; nanoindentation; polymer gels; water; Young´s modulus; atomic force microscope; dry gel; epoxy hydro gels; immersion; nanoindentation; robo-casting technique; soft tissue applications; three-dimensional polyurethane fiber pattern; water; Atomic force microscopy; Biological tissues; Chemicals; Mechanical factors; Nanostructures; Needles; Optical fiber testing; Polyethylene; Polymers; Tissue engineering;
Conference_Titel :
Bioengineering Conference, 2009 IEEE 35th Annual Northeast
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4362-8
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4364-2
DOI :
10.1109/NEBC.2009.4967784
