Title page for E-project-042909-205235

Project Type MQP

Submission date 2009-04-29

Authors
Andrew C Kenoian, ME
Derek R Pepicelli, ME
Ryan M Rasmussen, ME

URN E-project-042909-205235

Title Design of Device to Stretch Tunable Stiffness Substrates for Cell Studies

Advisor
Billiar, Kristen, BE

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
The aim of this project was to design and validate a device to cyclically stretch human cells on tunable stiffness substrates to enable the study of these two mechanical stimuli simultaneously. FEA indicated that squat stretching should yield near pure uniaxial behavior. Polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogel was utilized as the compliant substrate for tissue culture in a temperature controlled, sterile environment. Testing verified that PA gels have sufficient durability in squat configurations and can reach 20% strain at rates up to 10%/sec. This device represents the first method available for mechanobiological studies into the response to combined stretch and stiffness stimuli.

Files
CSD_MQP_PAPER.pdf

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Project Type	MQP
Submission date	2009-04-29
Authors	Andrew C Kenoian, ME Derek R Pepicelli, ME Ryan M Rasmussen, ME
URN	E-project-042909-205235
Title	Design of Device to Stretch Tunable Stiffness Substrates for Cell Studies
Advisor	Billiar, Kristen, BE
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The aim of this project was to design and validate a device to cyclically stretch human cells on tunable stiffness substrates to enable the study of these two mechanical stimuli simultaneously. FEA indicated that squat stretching should yield near pure uniaxial behavior. Polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogel was utilized as the compliant substrate for tissue culture in a temperature controlled, sterile environment. Testing verified that PA gels have sufficient durability in squat configurations and can reach 20% strain at rates up to 10%/sec. This device represents the first method available for mechanobiological studies into the response to combined stretch and stiffness stimuli.
Files	CSD_MQP_PAPER.pdf