scholarly journals The atypically high modulus of pollen exine

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (146) ◽  
pp. 20180533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihao Qu ◽  
J. Carson Meredith
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Ragweed Pollen ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Pollen Exine ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Reinforcing Fillers

Sporopollenin, the polymer comprising the exine (outer solid shell) of pollen, is recognized as one of the most chemically and mechanically stable naturally occurring organic substances. The elastic modulus of sporopollenin is of great importance to understanding the adhesion, transport and protective functions of pollen grains. In addition, this fundamental mechanical property is of significant interest in using pollen exine as a material for drug delivery, reinforcing fillers, sensors and adhesives. Yet, the literature reports of the elastic modulus of sporopollenin are very limited. We provide the first report of the elastic modulus of sporopollenin from direct indentation of pollen particles of three plant species: ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia ), pecan ( Carya illinoinensis ) and Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ). The modulus was determined with atomic force microscopy by using direct nanomechanical mapping of the pollen shell surface. The moduli were atypically high for non-crystalline organic biomaterials, with average values of 16 ± 2.5 GPa (ragweed), 9.5 ± 2.3 GPa (pecan) and 16 ± 4.0 GPa (Kentucky bluegrass). The amorphous pollen exine has a modulus exceeding known non-crystalline biomaterials, such as lignin (6.7 GPa) and actin (1.8 GPa). In addition to native pollen, we have investigated the effects of exposure to a common preparative base–acid chemical treatment and elevated humidity on the modulus. Base–acid treatment reduced the ragweed modulus by up to 58% and water vapour exposure at 90% relative humidity reduced the modulus by 54% (pecan) and 72% (Kentucky bluegrass). These results are in agreement with recently published estimates of the modulus of base–acid-treated ragweed pollen of 8 GPa from fitting to mechanical properties of ragweed pollen–epoxy composites.

scholarly journals A Universal Model for the Log-Normal Distribution of Elasticity in Polymeric Gels and Its Relevance to Mechanical Signature of Biological Tissues

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Arnaud Millet
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Normal Distribution ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Polymeric Gels ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Clear Explanation ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Log Normal Distribution

The mechanosensitivity of cells has recently been identified as a process that could greatly influence a cell’s fate. To understand the interaction between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix, the characterization of the mechanical properties of natural polymeric gels is needed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is one of the leading tools used to characterize mechanically biological tissues. It appears that the elasticity (elastic modulus) values obtained by AFM presents a log-normal distribution. Despite its ubiquity, the log-normal distribution concerning the elastic modulus of biological tissues does not have a clear explanation. In this paper, we propose a physical mechanism based on the weak universality of critical exponents in the percolation process leading to gelation. Following this, we discuss the relevance of this model for mechanical signatures of biological tissues.

Preparation and Research on the Lateral Elastic Modulus of the MnO2 Nanowires

2013 ◽  
Vol 662 ◽  
pp. 84-87
Author(s):  
Yong Jiang ◽  
Jian Cheng Deng ◽  
Yan Huai Ding ◽  
Jiu Ren Yin ◽  
Ping Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Crystal Form ◽  
Bending Test ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Nanowire Diameter ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Three Point Bending ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Mno2 Nanowires

MnO2 nanowires with large aspect ratio were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. In this method, Mn(NO3)2 was as a source of manganese and NH4NO3 as an oxidant. The structure and morphology of the MnO2 nanowires were characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their lateral elastic modulus was characterized via a nanoscale three-point bending test by atomic force microscopy (AFM) equipped with picoforce. The results indicate that the crystal form of MnO2 was β-MnO2. The elastic modulus of the nanowires decreased with the increase in nanowire diameter. This elastic modulus was in the range of 33.36-77.84GPa as the diameter ranged from 240 to 185nm.

Elastic Modulus of Single Cellulose Microfibrils from Tunicate Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2571-2576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichiro Iwamoto ◽  
Weihua Kai ◽  
Akira Isogai ◽  
Tadahisa Iwata
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Cellulose Microfibrils ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

Quantitative mechanical analysis of indentations on layered, soft elastic materials

Soft Matter ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1776-1784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryant L. Doss ◽  
Kiarash Rahmani Eliato ◽  
Keng-hui Lin ◽  
Robert Ros
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Cell Mechanics ◽  
Biological Samples ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Elastic Materials ◽  
Mechanical Heterogeneity ◽  
Popular Method ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is becoming an increasingly popular method for studying cell mechanics, however the existing analysis tools for determining the elastic modulus from indentation experiments are unable to quantitatively account for mechanical heterogeneity commonly found in biological samples.

scholarly journals A Novel Toolkit for Characterizing the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Engineered Neural Tissues

Biosensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Robinson ◽  
Karolina Valente ◽  
Stephanie Willerth
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Elastic Moduli ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Hydrogel Scaffolds ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Mechanical And Electrical Properties ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Neural Tissues ◽  
Electrical Signaling

We have designed and validated a set of robust and non-toxic protocols for directly evaluating the properties of engineered neural tissue. These protocols characterize the mechanical properties of engineered neural tissues and measure their electrophysical activity. The protocols obtain elastic moduli of very soft fibrin hydrogel scaffolds and voltage readings from motor neuron cultures. Neurons require soft substrates to differentiate and mature, however measuring the elastic moduli of soft substrates remains difficult to accurately measure using standard protocols such as atomic force microscopy or shear rheology. Here we validate a direct method for acquiring elastic modulus of fibrin using a modified Hertz model for thin films. In this method, spherical indenters are positioned on top of the fibrin samples, generating an indentation depth that is then correlated with elastic modulus. Neurons function by transmitting electrical signals to one another and being able to assess the development of electrical signaling serves is an important verification step when engineering neural tissues. We then validated a protocol wherein the electrical activity of motor neural cultures is measured directly by a voltage sensitive dye and a microplate reader without causing damage to the cells. These protocols provide a non-destructive method for characterizing the mechanical and electrical properties of living spinal cord tissues using novel biosensing methods.

scholarly journals An investigation of surface properties, local elastic modulus and interaction with simulated pulmonary surfactant of surface modified inhalable voriconazole dry powders using atomic force microscopy

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (31) ◽  
pp. 25789-25798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Arora ◽  
Michael Kappl ◽  
Mehra Haghi ◽  
Paul M. Young ◽  
Daniela Traini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Surface Properties ◽  
Pulmonary Surfactant ◽  
Dry Powders ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Surface Modified ◽  
Spray Dried

l-Leucine modified voriconazole spray dried micropartcles.

scholarly journals Mechanical Characterization of a Dynamic and Tunable Methacrylated Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew G. Ondeck ◽  
Adam J. Engler
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Monomer Concentration ◽  
Degree Of Polymerization ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
3T3 Fibroblasts ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Spread Area ◽  
Nih 3T3

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commonly used natural polymer for cell scaffolding. Modification by methacrylate allows it to be polymerized by free radicals via addition of an initiator, e.g., light-sensitive Irgacure, to form a methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) hydrogel. Light-activated crosslinking can be used to control the degree of polymerization, and sequential polymerization steps allow cells plated onto or in the hydrogel to initially feel a soft and then a stiff matrix. Here, the elastic modulus of MeHA hydrogels was systematically analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for a number of variables including duration of UV exposure, monomer concentration, and methacrylate functionalization. To determine how cells would respond to a specific two-step polymerization, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured on the stiffening MeHA hydrogels and found to reorganize their cytoskeleton and spread area upon hydrogel stiffening, consistent with cells originally cultured on substrates of the final elastic modulus.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document