Novel methods and tools for in situ characterization of composite materials and tissues, and their microstructural changes during mechanical testing using X-ray computed tomography

The general ambition of this project is to study in situ the microstructural changes during dynamic mechanical testing of both hierarchical composite materials and biological tissues (i.e. the bone-tendon interface) using 4D X-ray computed tomography (4DXCT). Novel experimental tools, including a generic in situ measurement device and tissue-specific contrast agents along with advanced 3D image analysis methods and computational models, will be developed within the project. This will provide better knowledge of the material behavior leading to a more intelligent design of hierarchical composite materials and advanced solutions for tissue restoration and regeneration. Consequently, this project will facilitate the translation of the developed methodologies towards relevant research centres and industry, and will advance the XCT research at the KU Leuven (Dept. Materials Engineering and Dept. Development and Regeneration) to a higher level.

Keywords:4D X-ray computed tomography, Tissue specific contrast agents, Hierarchical composite materials and tendons, In situ loading

Disciplines:Multimedia processing, Biological system engineering, Signal processing, Biomaterials engineering, Biomechanical engineering, Medical biotechnology, Other (bio)medical engineering, Ceramic and glass materials, Materials science and engineering, Semiconductor materials, Other materials engineering, Composites and hybrid materials