Influence of mineral distribution and structure on fibril and tissue mechanics

Determine how mineral content, distribution, and structural morphology of hydroxyapatite crystals within and around type I collagen fibrils influence nano-scale fibril mechanics and how these effects propagate to tissue-scale mechanical behavior.

Background

Direct mechanical testing of isolated mineralized collagen fibrils is challenging, limiting empirical understanding of how mineral arrangement affects fibril deformation and failure.

Theoretical and computational studies indicate mineral content and morphology alter stiffening, peak stress, and fracture mechanisms, but a comprehensive experimental and mechanistic mapping across scales remains unresolved.