Introduction to the experimental techniques available for evaluation of the hierarchical structure and mechanical properties of bone and soft biological tissues from the macro- to the nanoscale

The following techniques will be explained in terms of measurement principles and common data analysis procedures:

• Introduction and Macromechanical tests
• Micro- and Nanoindentation (conventional and AFM-based), Reference point microindentation, techniques, instrumentation, measurements, contact mechanics and resulting analysis techniques, pitfalls and problems
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging modes, force mode (indentation, force spectroscopy mode) and combination with mechanical testing and sample preparation considerations for AFM experiments
• Scanning electron microscopy, review of measurement principle, secondary electron imaging mode, backscattered imaging mode and quantitative backscattered imaging mode
• Focused Ion Beam milling of hard tissue structures and theory, current research, limitations and challenges
• Miniature and micro-mechanical tests of biological tissues
• Ultrasound & Scanning Acoustic Microscopy
• Micro-computed tomography, morphological parameters, porosity, crack propagation
• Small angle x-ray scattering, principles, measurement of bone hydroxyapatite crystal T-  parameter, collagen banding and collagen strain measurement during tensile loading
• Raman-spectroscopy & FTIR, measurement principles and application to bone
• Polarized light microscopy, Second harmonic generation, Quantitative polarized light microscopy and collagen orientation