Monday  |  Heritage D  |  09:40 AM–10:20 AM

#17696, Basics of: Experimental Biomechanics

Biological systems and biomaterials are notoriously challenging to characterize due to a large confluence of challenging mechanical attributes. From exhibiting time-dependent behavior, finite deformations, heterogeneity, coupled chemomechanical and fluid responses, and potentially being active, living systems, these systems can be extremely difficult in terms of material characterization compared to their engineering material counterparts.

This invited presentation will highlight a range of contemporary techniques used for the characterization of many of these phenomena at the cell-level and tissue length scale. From cells in in vitro environments to in situ behavior of tissues, I will focus on the use of kinematic information toward understanding of biosystem mechanics. Some particular highlights will include full-field-plus-inverse methods for constitutive calibration, as well as the challenge in constitutive modeling and identifiability of e.g. non-linear behavior will be presented.

Jon Estrada   University of Michigan