Nanoscale characterization of the biomechanical properties of collagen fibrils in the sclera

Journal Article · Mon Mar 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4868388· OSTI ID:22257032

Papi, M. ^[1]; Paoletti, P. ^[2]; Geraghty, B.; Akhtar, R. ^[3]

---

1. Institute of Physics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F.Vito 1, 00168 Rome (Italy)
2. Centre for Engineering Dynamics, School of Engineering, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH (United Kingdom)
3. Centre for Materials and Structures, School of Engineering, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH (United Kingdom)

We apply the PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping (PFQNM) atomic force microscopy mode for the investigation of regional variations in the nanomechanical properties of porcine sclera. We examine variations in the collagen fibril diameter, adhesion, elastic modulus and dissipation in the posterior, equatorial and anterior regions of the sclera. The mean fibril diameter, elastic modulus and dissipation increased from the posterior to the anterior region. Collagen fibril diameter correlated linearly with elastic modulus. Our data matches the known macroscopic mechanical behavior of the sclera. We propose that PFQNM has significant potential in ocular biomechanics and biophysics research.

• OSTI ID: 22257032
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 10; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
BIOPHYSICS
COLLAGEN
EYES
NANOSTRUCTURES