Mechanical characterisation of human cartilage cells by AFM nanoindentation under different loading frequencies. (12th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Kexiang; Sun, Limin; Wang, Qingkang
• Is Part Of: International journal of nanomanufacturing. Volume 10:Number 5/6(2014)
• Page Start: 500
• Page End: 512
• Publication Date: 2014-12-12
• Subjects: human cartilage cells -- AFM nanoindentation -- Hertzian model -- Young's modulus -- adhesion force; Nanostructured materials industry -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-9392

Abstract

In this paper, we employ the AFM tip indentation and Hertzian contact mechanics model to compute Young's modulus and the adhesion force of cartilage cells in different environments. The indentation is implemented under different loading frequencies to obtain the relationship between loading frequency and Young's modulus of both living and dead cartilage cells. The results show that the stiffness of the cell membrane is related to the loading frequency. Under the constant loading force, the indented depth decreases with the increase of frequency. The less the indented depth is, the stiffer the cell membrane will be, therefore, the larger the Young's modulus will be. This study also shows the adhesive force of living cartilage cells lies within the range from 150 nN to 350 nN, while the dead ones have the adhesive force between 30 nN and 90 nN.