Episode 6: In Situ Imaging and Correlating Structure and Mechanics in Hard and Soft Tissues

Hard and soft tissues are anisotropic, heterogeneous, hierarchical materials; their structure implies that the microstructural mechanical properties can predict the macrostructural behaviour. Currently, in situ mechanics coupled with high-resolution X- ray computed tomography (XCT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) has emerged as a powerful and unique tool to quantify the three-dimensional (3D) full-field strain distribution in bones, cartilage-bone interface, biomaterials and bone- biomaterial systems. The research interests of the Biomedical Engineering group at the University of Portsmouth include; investigation of the mechanical behaviour of healthy and diseased hard and soft tissues as well as characterization of the mechanical and morphological properties of different biomaterials for tissue regeneration.

This presentation was recorded during the BioXRM symposium at the Museum of Natural History in London, October 2023.

Key Learnings:

• Combining morphological assessments and mechanical properties of bone and associated soft tissues reveals new information.
• In situ mechanics coupled with high-resolution X- ray computed tomography (XCT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) is a powerful and unique way to quantify the 3D full-field strain distribution in many different samples.
• More comprehensive characterization of hard and soft tissues as well as biomaterials can be attained.