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.

• 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

• Pepicelli, Derek R.
• Rasmussen, Ryan Matthew
• Kenoian, Andrew C.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042909-205235

Advisor

• Billiar, Kristen

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright