People
doc. Ing. Daniel Kytýř, Ph.D.

2024, Acta Polytechnica CTU Proceedings, Praha, České vysoké učení technické v Praze)

The aim of this work is to develop an experimental method suitable for the mechanical testing of highly non-standard biological samples such as snake skin with osteoderms. The objective of the method is to determine, whether the osteoderms provide a protective function for the animal in its natural environment. For this purpose, a simulation of rodents biting the skin based on uni-axial compressive loading using a synthetic tooth as a penetrator was developed with an emphasis on integration with X-ray scanners to facilitate in-situ testing. To identify and characterise the structure of snake skin and to prove the protective function of osteoderms, all samples were subjected to high resolution X-ray computed tomography. The results of the experiments are presented in the form of stress-strain curves and a map of the tangent modulus.

2024, Emergent Materials, 2024, ISSN 2522-5731

Excellent mechanical properties of ultra high performance concrete make it suitable for use in special applications, where the material is subjected to dynamic phenomena such as impacts, explosions, or earthquakes. This paper presents a novel experimental approach that integrates a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar with a flash X-ray system and high-speed optical imaging to investigate the dynamic behavior of steel fiber reinforced UHPC under high strain rate uni-axial compression. In-situ Flash X-ray radiography emerges as a particularly effective tool, providing clear visualization of deformation response and overcoming challenges associated with flying debris encountered in optical inspection. Moreover, computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy appear as a vital technique for analyzing micro-structure and fiber distribution and orientation. The combined approach offers a promising method to study the dynamic behavior of steel fiber reinforced ultra high performance concrete and also holds promise for analyzing more complex modes of deformation and material interactions, providing valuable insights for enhancing the design and performance of critical infrastructure subjected to dynamic loading events.

2024, ISBN 978-80-01-07358-2, ISSN 2336-5382

2023, Vol. 42 (2023): 18th Youth Symposium on Experimental Solid Mechanics, Praha, České vysoké učení technické v Praze), p. 1-5), ISBN 978-80-01-07237-0, ISSN 2336-5382

This paper focuses on stereolithography (an additive manufacturing technology working on the principle of curing liquid resins layer by layer using ultraviolet radiation) and the effect of aging on the mechanical properties of the material and printed samples. The aging of the material could be a problem for its subsequent use as the stability of the mechanical properties would not be maintained and unwanted deterioration of the material could occur. As part of the research, sets of samples were printed and subjected to different aging methods and subsequently subjected to quasi-static and dynamic uni-axial load tests. From the data obtained, the basic mechanical properties of the material were calculated and compared with each other. The aim of this paper was to investigate whether aging process causes significant changes in the mechanical properties of the materials used, which could have a consequential impact on their use in different industries.

2023, Vol. 42 (2023): 18th Youth Symposium on Experimental Solid Mechanics, Praha, České vysoké učení technické v Praze), p. 94-97), ISBN 978-80-01-07237-0, ISSN 2336-5382

Long-term stability of the tissue product in terms of mechanical parameters is a key factor for its expiration date. For the investigation of storage effects on the cartilage tissues the experimental mechanical loading test combined with XCT scanning for the irregular shape inspection was performed. The samples were preserved according to three different protocols using the deep-freezing and two types of saline solution preservation. The stability of the biomechanical parameters was tested within annual intervals. All samples were subjected to uni-axial compression loading using the in-house developed compact table top loading device in displacement-driven mode. Based on the measurements, the results are represented in the form of stress-strain curves and quantified as elastic modulus and ultimate compression stress. It can be concluded that no significant difference was found in neither the mechanical properties of the samples nor in the effects of each preservational method.

2023

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is extensively used for non-destructive industrial analysis to study the internal structure of materials and complex objects. In the microelectronics industry, X-ray computed tomography has proven useful for quality analysis and defect detection. However, inspecting electronic devices with standard CT is challenging due to the presence of many metals neighboring light materials causing various types of artifacts that affect the quality of computed tomography. This thesis presents new techniques and data processing approaches in the field of energy-sensitive computed tomography, which are used to characterize materials and to study defects in electronic devices. Energy-sensitive computed tomography utilizes energy information from the projection data obtained by energy-sensitive methods. Several standard CT techniques were also tested and compared with the newly presented techniques. The results showed that the standard techniques are inefficient when the scanned samples, electronic components, have high metal content. The work also addresses the spectroscopic performance of photon counting detectors in computed tomography after correcting the threshold mismatch between pixels. This new correction methods have helped to increase the energy resolution and improve the ability of the detector to discriminate materials with similar attenuation properties. Such correction is useful for applications that require high resolution at high energy spectra where the mismatch between pixels increases due to the invalidity of standard calibration methods. The thesis mainly focuses on the inspection of epoxy underfill process for electronic devices by implementing data fusion of multiple computed tomography scans as an alternative method to reduce artifacts. To this end, the work presents a methodology of performing successful computed tomography that enable the inspection of light materials (epoxy) for samples with high metal that cannot be achieved using standard CT techniques. In addition, the work presents the first results of the epoxy underfill inspection for real samples from the industrial field, placing the X-ray inspection as an option for defect detection in the microelectronics industry.

2023, ISBN 978-80-01-07237-0, ISSN 2336-5382

2022, Materials Science and Engineering A - Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing, 852 (5), ISSN 0921-5093

One of the most promising options for future crashworthiness applications is thin-walled tubes filled with various cellular materials (e.g. metal foam). Of higher interest are the shell-based lattices, which have lately gained popularity due to their superior qualities over strut-based lattices. In this work, we investigate the mechanical response of foam-filled tubes where the tube's core was represented by Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) diamond lattices. Samples made of stainless steel 316L comprising the diamond lattice core, empty tubes, and in-situ TPMS-filled tubes were additively manufactured and mechanically tested under compressive loading. As-fabricated welded tubes and ex-situ TPMS-filled tubes were also analysed and compared. Under the axial loading, the ex-situ and in-situ TPMS-filled tubes showed very similar behaviour. Enhanced energy absorption up to 21% and 44% compared to the sum of empty tubes and the core responses was noted. The energy absorption enhancement of 12% in the case of transversal loading is limited to in-situ TPMS-filled tubes, where the connection between the tube and core prevents the tube's walls from buckling. Computational models with homogenised core were developed and validated based on the experimental data. These straightforward, fast, and accurate computational models can be efficiently used for large-scale real-life applications, e.g. crash and impact.

2021, Materials Science and Engineering A - Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing, 800, ISSN 0921-5093

Light-weight cellular solids, such as aluminium foams, are promising materials for use in ballistic impact mitigation applications for their high specific deformation energy absorption capabilities. In this study, three different types of aluminium alloy based in-house fabricated cellular materials were subjected to dynamic penetration using the in-house experimental setup to evaluate their deformation and microstructural response. Two-sided direct impact Hopkinson bar apparatus instrumented with two high-speed cameras observing the impact area and the penetrated surface of the specimens was used. Advanced wave separation technique was employed to process strain-gauge signals recorded during penetration. Images captured by one of the cameras were processed using an in-house Digital Image Correlation method with sub-pixel precision, that enabled validation of the wave separation results of the strain-gauge signals. The second camera was used to observe the penetration into the tested specimens for correct interpretation of the measured signals with respect to derived mechanical and microstructural properties at different impact velocities. Differential X-ray computed tomography of selected specimens was performed, which allowed for an advanced pre- and post-impact volumetric analysis. Results of performed experiments and elaborate analysis of the measured experimental data are shown in this study.

2021, Journal of Materials Science, 56 (16), p. 9712-9727), ISSN 0022-2461

In this work, we present a multimodal approach to three-dimensionally quantify and visualize fiber orientation and resin-rich areas in carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers manufactured by vacuum infusion. Three complementary image modalities were acquired by Talbot–Lau grating interferometer (TLGI) X-ray microcomputed tomography (XCT). Compared to absorption contrast (AC), TLGI-XCT provides enhanced contrast between polymer matrix and carbon fibers at lower spatial resolutions in the form of differential phase contrast (DPC) and dark-field contrast (DFC). Consequently, relatively thin layers of resin, effectively indiscernible from image noise in AC data, are distinguishable. In addition to the assessment of fiber orientation, the combination of DPC and DFC facilitates the quantification of resin-rich areas, e.g., in gaps between fiber layers or at binder yarn collimation sites. We found that resin-rich areas between fiber layers are predominantly developed in regions characterized by a pronounced curvature. In contrast, in-layer resin-rich areas are mainly caused by the collimation of fibers by binder yarn. Furthermore, void volume around two adjacent 90°-oriented fiber layers is increased by roughly 20% compared to a random distribution over the whole specimen.

2020

The thesis deals with the investigation of the mechanical behaviour of cellular materials at higher strain-rates and enhancement of their energy absorption capabilities. Three types of cellular solids were tested: closed- and open-cell aluminium foam and SLS printed auxetic lattices. To induce a strain-rate sensitive response in open-cell structures, different types of polymeric fillers were tested (polyurethane putty, polyurethane foam and ordnance gelatin) to form Interpenetrating- phase composites (IPCs). At the micro level, the tests were performed using an in-house apparatus in conjunction with the optical strain measurement using Digital Image Correlation (DIC). At the macro-level, for the investigation of the cellular structure a time-lapse X-ray tomography of the compression test was performed. Two types of impact tests were used to cover a broader range of the strain-rates, drop tower and Hopkinson bar (SHPB). A strain-rate sensitive response was observed at moderate strain-rates in the ordnance gelatin and IPC, while the response of unfilled aluminium foam remained unchanged. The SHPB tests showed a strain-rate sensitivity in the energy absorption for all the tested materials. The DIC strain measurement of the SHPB impact tests of the polymer-filled auxetics showed a reduction in the auxetic nature with the filling.

2019, ISBN 978-80-86246-45-1

2019, 17th YOUTH SYMPOSIUM ON EXPERIMENTAL SOLID MECHANICS, Praha, Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT), p. 17-20), ISBN 978-80-01-06670-6, ISSN 2336-5382

Presented paper deals with experimental study on compressive properties of auxetics with controlled stiffness of strut joints. The variable strut joints properties were simulated by adding extra amount of material in the struts’ intersection regions. Four groups of inverted honeycomb structures were prepared by multi-jet 3D printing and tested in quasi-static compression. The structure collapsed gradually, however after the first collapse, failure in entire cross-section occurred due to the brittle nature of the base material. The behavior up to the first collapse was consistent among the specimens within each group, while differed slightly subsequently. With higher reinforcement in the joints, results showed increasing stress at the first collapse (ultimate compressive stress) while the strain at the first collapse remained unchanged. The auxetic behaviour became less significant with increasing joints’ reinforcement.

2019, 17th YOUTH SYMPOSIUM ON EXPERIMENTAL SOLID MECHANICS, Praha, Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT), p. 21-24), ISBN 978-80-01-06670-6, ISSN 2336-5382

In this study behavior of the selected types of filling material for the inter-penetrating phase composites was tested in compressive loading mode at low and high strain-rates. Three types of the filling material were tested, (i) ordnance gelatin, (ii) low expansion polyurethane foam, and (iii) polyurethane putty. To evaluate their impact energy absorption bulk samples of the selected materials were tested in compression loading mode at strain-rates 1000 s−1 to 4000 s−1 . The high strain-rate compressive loading was provided by Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) which was equipped with PMMA bars to enable testing of cellular materials with low mechanical impedance. Based on the comparative measurement response to compression at both low and high strain-rates was analysed. The results show a significant strain-rate sensitivity of the ordnance gelatin and of the polyurethane putty, while strain-rate effect in the polyurethane foam was not observed.

2019, ISBN 978-80-01-06670-6, ISSN 2336-5382

2018, 16th Youth Symposium On Experimental Solid Mechanics, Praha, Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT, ČVUT v Praze), p. 28-31), ISBN 978-80-01-06474-0, ISSN 2336-5382

The main goal of this study is to validate elementary mechanical parameters of a newly designed open-cell foam. The purpouse for investigating artificial material is to approach the properties of the human bone in the case of its adequate replacement. Investigated material can be also used as an artificial bone to train surgical procedures and to improve the skills of the surgeons. Four sets of the foam with different chemical composition were subjected to an uniaxial quasi-static loading to describe basic mechanical behaviour of these samples. Based on these experiments, the stress-strain diagrams were created as a comparative tool including calculation of the effective Young’s modulus. The acquired knowledges will be used as input parameters of a follow-up study aimed at describing the morphology of presented structures and their response to mechanical experiments. A distortion effect of porosity on the results is not considered in this study.

2018

The main goal of the work presented is aimed at demonstrating modern radiological methods for an investigation of the deformation behaviour of bone scaffolds. Bone scaffold is an artificial structure used for the repairs of trabecular bones damaged by injuries or degenerative diseases. In bone-tissue engineering a proper description of its deformation behaviour is one of the most important assessment characteristics of biocompatibility and bone-integration characteristics of the proposed structure intended to be used as a bone scaffold. Bioactive-glass-reinforced gellan-gum (GG-BAG) with low specific stiffness and simultaneous low attenuation to X-rays makes both the mechanical and imaging parts of the deformation experiments difficult. Therefore, a unique combination of X-ray imaging technigues and experimental procedures was developed to evaluate the full-field microstructure deformation response. The digital volumetric correlation method was applied on the reconstructed data from micro CT measurements to evaluate not only the effective mechanical characteristics but also to enable a detailed inspection of the specimens’ internal structure, particularly the deformation modes of the individual struts and joints. The calculated volumetric strain fields demonstrate the suitability of such experimental methodology and devices to assess both the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the investigated complex GG-BAG microarchitectures.

2018, 16th Youth Symposium On Experimental Solid Mechanics, Praha, Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT, ČVUT v Praze), p. 44-47), ISBN 978-80-01-06474-0, ISSN 2336-5382

An experimental study on energy absorption capabilities and strain rate sensitivity of ordnance gelatine was performed. Strain energy density under quasi static compression and moderate strain rate impact tests was compared. In the study two types of material were tested, bulk ordnance gelatine and polymeric open-cell meshwork filled with ordnance gelatine. From the results a significant strain-rate effect was observed in terms of ultimate compressive strength and strain energy density. In comparison of the deformation behaviour under quasi static conditions and drop weight test the difference was very significant, however slight increase in both strength and strain energy density was observed even between different impact energies and velocities during the impact testing. The peak acceleration was significantly reduced in polymer meshwork filled by gelatine in comparison to the bulk gelatine.

2018, 16th Youth Symposium On Experimental Solid Mechanics, Praha, Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT, ČVUT v Praze), p. 15-19), ISBN 978-80-01-06474-0, ISSN 2336-5382

In recent years, open-source applications have replaced proprietary software in many fields. Especially open-source software tools based on Linux operating system have wide range of utilization. In terms of CNC solutions, an open-source system LinuxCNC can be used. However, the LinuxCNC control software and the graphical user interface (GUI) could be developed only on top of Hardware Abstraction Layer. Nevertheless, the LinuxCNC community provided Python Interface, which allows for controlling CNC machine using Python programming language, therefore whole control software can be developed in Python. The paper focuses on a development of a multi-process control software mainly for in-house developed loading devices operated at our institute. The software tool is based on the LinuxCNC Python Interface and Qt framework, which gives the software an ability to be modular and effectively adapted for various devices.

2018, EPJ Web of Conferences - Volume 183 (2018) - DYMAT 2018 - 12th International Conference on the Mechanical and Physical Behaviour of Materials under Dynamic Loading, Les Ulis Cedex A, EDP Sciences - Web of Conferences), p. 1-6), ISBN 978-2-7598-9053-8, ISSN 2100-014X

In this paper, a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used for impact loading of an auxetic lattice (structure with negative Poisson’s ratio) at a given strain-rate. High strength aluminum and polymethyl methacrylate bars instrumented with foil strain-gauges were used for compression of an additively manufactured missing-rib auxetic lattice. All experiments were observed using a high-speed camera with frame-rate set to approx. 135.000 fps. High-speed images were synchronized with the strain-gauge records. Dynamic equilibrium in the specimen was analyzed and optimized pulse-shaping was introduced in the selected experiments. Longitudinal and lateral in-plane displacements and strains were evaluated using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. DIC results were compared with results obtained from strain-gauges and were found to be in good agreement. Using DIC, it was possible to analyze in-plane strain distribution in the specimens and to evaluate strain dependent Poisson’s ratio of the auxetic structure.

2018, ISBN 978-80-01-06474-0, ISSN 2336-5382

2018

The main goal of the work presented is aimed at demonstrating modern radiological methods for an investigation of the deformation behaviour of bone scaffolds. Bone scaffold is an artificial structure used for the repairs of trabecular bones damaged by injuries or degenerative diseases. In bone-tissue engineering a proper description of its deformation behaviour is one of the most important assessment characteristics of biocompatibility and bone-integration characteristics of the proposed structure intended to be used as a bone scaffold. Bioactive-glass-reinforced gellan-gum (GG-BAG) with low specific stiffness and simultaneous low attenuation to X-rays makes both the mechanical and imaging parts of the deformation experiments difficult. Therefore, a unique combination of X-ray imaging technigues and experimental procedures was developed to evaluate the full-field microstructure deformation response. The digital volumetric correlation method was applied on the reconstructed data from micro CT measurements to evaluate not only the effective mechanical characteristics but also to enable a detailed inspection of the specimens’ internal structure, particularly the deformation modes of the individual struts and joints. The calculated volumetric strain fields demonstrate the suitability of such experimental methodology and devices to assess both the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the investigated complex GG-BAG microarchitectures.

2017

Zkoušky určování povrchové tvrdosti představují jedny z nejpoužívanějších zkoušek materiálů. Výhodou tohoto typu testu je jeho minimální destruktivnost, nízké náklady na jeho provádění a relativně jednoduché vyhodnocení. Tato diplomová práce se zabývá vytvořením automatizované procedury měření povrchové tvrdosti porézních materiálů. Tyto poznatky jsou využity pro napsání programu pro určování nejvhodnějších lokací pro indentaci. Vstupy pro vytvořený program jsou fotografie porézního materiálů. Složením těchto snímků je vytvořen pracovní obraz na němž jsou následně prováděny procedury sloužící k identifikaci nejvhodnějších lokací pro indent. Výstupem skriptu je G-kód pro CNC proceduru. Vytvořený G-kód je použit pro experimentální měření tvrdosti. Vytvořené indenty jsou nafoceny, poté jsou změřeny velikosti jejich úhlopříček, které poslouží jako základ pro výpočet tvrdosti podle Vickerse.

2017, ExNum 2016, Praha, CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZE), p. 29-32), ISBN 978-80-01-06070-4, ISSN 2336-5382

The paper deals with investigation of deformation behaviour of gellan gum (GG) based structures prepared for regenerative medicine purposes. Investigated material was synthesized as porous spongy-like scaffold reinforced by bioactive glass (BAG) nano-particles in different concentrations. Deformation behavior was obtained employing custom designed experimental setup. This device equipped with bioreactor chamber allows to test the delivered samples under simulated physiological conditions with controlled flow and temperature. Cylindrical samples were subjected to uniaxial quasistatic loading in tension and compression. Material properties of plain GG scaffold and reinforced scaffold buffered by 50wt% and 70wt% BAG were derived from a set of tensile and compression tests. The results are represented in form of stress-strain curves calculated from the acquired force and displacement data.

2017, Acta Polytechnica, 57 (1), p. 14-21), ISSN 1210-2709

This study is focuses on an investigation of the reinforcement effect of the bioactive glass nano-particles in the gellan gum (GG) scaffolds used in bone tissue engineering. The investigated material was synthesized as the porous spongy-like structure improved by the bioactive glass (BAG) nano-particles. Cylindrical samples were subjected to a uniaxial quasi-static loading in tension and compression. Very soft nature of the material, which makes the sample susceptible to damage, required employment of a custom designed experimental device for the mechanical testing. Moreover, as the mechanical properties are significantly influenced by testing conditions the experiment was performed using dry samples and also using samples immersed in the simulated body fluid. Material properties of the pure GG scaffold and the GG-BAG reinforced scaffold were derived from a set of tensile and compression tests under dry and simulated physiological conditions. The results are represented in the form of stress-strain curves calculated from the acquired force and displacement data.

2017

Předložená práce se zabývá vyhodnocováním dynamických experimentů prováděných na instrumentovaném zařízení SHPB modifikovaném pro měření materiálů s nízkou mechanickou impedancí. V rámci práce je navržena a implementována metodika předzpracování zaznamenaných experimentálních dat, vytvořena sada softwarových nástrojů umožňující konzistentní a přesné vyhodnocení. Celé řešení je implementováno v modulárním uživatelském rozhraní, které umožňuje automatizované, rychlé a spolehlivé vyhodnocení zaznamenaných experimentálních dat. Navržené řešení je ověřeno v rámci vyhodnocení experimentů provedených na auxetické struktuře a na vzorku porézní polymerní pěny. Výsledky získané s použitím navrženého řešení jsou konzistentní a odpovídají již dříve publikovaným hodnotám. Výsledkem práce je soubor softwarových řešení implementovaný v uživatelském prostředí, který značně usnadňuje a zrychluje proces vyhodnocení experimentů provedených na SHPB.

2017, ISBN 978-80-01-06070-4, ISSN 2336-5382

2017, Advanced Engineering Materials, 19 (10), ISSN 1438-1656

In this paper, impact testing of auxetic structures filled with strain rate sensitive material is presented. Two dimensional missing rib, 2D re-entrant honeycomb, and 3D re-entrant honeycomb lattices are investigated. Structures are divided into three groups according to type of filling: no filling, low expansion polyurethane foam, and ordnance gelatine. Samples from each group are tested under quasi-static loading and dynamic compression using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar. Digital image correlation is used for assessment of in-plane displacement and strain fields. Ratios between quasi-static and dynamic results for plateau stresses and specific energy absorption in the plateau are calculated. It is found out that not only the manufactured structures, but also the wrought material exhibit strain rate dependent properties. Evaluation of influence of filling on mechanical properties shows that polyurethane increases specific absorbed energy by a factor of 1.05–1.4, whereas the effect of gelatine leads to increase of only 5–10%. Analysis of the Poisson's function reveals influence of filling on achievable (negative) values of Poisson's ratio, when compared to unfilled specimens. The results for the Poisson's function yielded apparently different values as the assessed minima of quasi-static Poisson's ratio in small deformations are constrained by a factor of 15.

2017, 25th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY - PROGRAM AND BOOK OF ABSTRACTS, Ljubljana, Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije), p. 52-52), ISBN 978-961-94088-1-0

In this study behavior of selected types of filling material were tested in compressive loading mode at high strain rates. Four types of filling material were tested, (i) ordnance gelatin, (ii) low expan sion polyurethane foam, (iii) thixotropic polyurethane putty and (iv) silicon putty. To evaluate their contribution to the impact energy absorption in IPC bulk samples of selected materials were subjected to high strain rate compression. The high strain ra te compressive loading was provided by Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) which was adjusted to be able to test cellular and soft materials. From the tests stress - strain diagrams of investigated materials were obtained, which provided relevant mechanical properties (plateau stress and strain, strain energy density).

2017, ExNum 2016, Praha, CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZE), p. 72-75), ISBN 978-80-01-06070-4, ISSN 2336-5382

Metal foams are innovative porous material used for wide range of application such as deformation energy or sound absorption, filter material, or microbiological incubation carrier. To predict mechanical properties of the metal foam is necessary to precisely describe elasto–plastic properties of the foam on cell–wall level. Indentation with low load is suitable tool for this purpose. In this paper custom designed instrumented microindentation device was used for measurement of cell-wall characteristics of two different aluminium foams (ALPORAS and ALCORAS). To demonstrate the possibility of automated statistical estimation of measured characteristics the device had been enhanced by semi-automatic indent positioning and evaluation procedures based on user-defined grid. Vickers hardness was measured on two samples made from ALPORAS aluminium foam and one sample from ALCORAS aluminium foam. Average Vickers hardness of ALPORAS foam was 24.465HV1.019 and average Vickers hardness of ALCORAS was 36.585HV1.019.

2017, Materials and Technology, 51 (3), p. 397-402), ISSN 1580-2949

The presented work is aimed at a demonstration of modern radiological methods for an investigation of the deformation behaviour of bone scaffolds. Bone scaffold is an artificial structure used for the repairs of trabecular bones damaged by injuries or degenerative diseases. In bone-tissue engineering a proper description of its deformation behaviour is one of the most important characteristics for an assessment of the biocompatibility and bone-integration characteristics of the proposed structure intended to be used as a bone scaffold. According to recent studies bioactive-glass-reinforced gellan-gum (GG-BAG) is a promising material for bone-scaffold production. However, its low specific stiffness and simultaneous low attenuation to X-rays makes both the mechanical and imaging parts of the deformation experiments difficult. As a result a state-of-the-art experimental setup composed of high-precision micro-loading apparatus designed for the X-ray observation of deformation processes and an advanced radiographical device is required for such experiments. High-resolution time-lapse micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (micro CT) under loading in three different imaging modes was performed to obtain a precise structural and mechanical description of the observed deforming GG-BAG scaffolds.

2017, 25th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY - PROGRAM AND BOOK OF ABSTRACTS, Ljubljana, Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije), ISBN 978-961-94088-1-0

The microtomography inspection was performed using the patented (European patent no. EP2835631) in-house designed modular radiographical imaging device equipped with scintillators, large single photon counting and spectroscopic detectors. From reconstructed volumetric data internal microarchitecture, porosity, cell-wall thickness and BAG distribution was derivated. The results were compared with the results of the planar analysis of thin scaffold layers prepared by cryosection.