To study mechanobiology, cells are deformed uniaxially or biaxially and cell behavior is observed. The devices that currently exist on the market for stretching cells come at a high cost, cannot be custom programmed, and typically lack both uniaxial and biaxial functionality. The primary goal of our project was to develop a precise cell stretching device for biaxial strain application at different magnitudes, rates, and patterns to observe cellular effects. To develop a custom device with stretching functionality, our team designed and tested multiple motor-based cell stretching devices. The final design consists of a low profile, four linear actuator stretching system which successfully stretches cells at a range of strains, frequencies, and strain patterns over a 24-hour period.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Quevillon, Elizabeth A.
• Boynton, Joshua Scott
• Hendrie, Megan Ruth
• Cruz, Alexander

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042519-111801

Advisor

• Billiar, Kristen

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright