Sensing Technology for the Subsurface Characterization of Biological Materials

本研究旨在开发一个实验和计算平台，用于毫米级分层软组织（例如皮肤）的粘弹性表征。 这将通过 i) 缩小植根于工程地球物理学的表面波频谱分析 (SASW) 测试方法的规模，以及 ii) 开发 1cm x 1cm 聚偏二氟乙烯 (PVDF) 传感器来实现，该传感器将包含粘附在组织上的平行、弦状 PVDF 传感器阵列。为了重建分层组织特性，将开发和定制瑞利（表面）波的全波形粘弹性反分析以满足换能器的需求。智力价值：将开发一种新颖的、低成本的传感器阵列，用于量化表面组织运动。新传感器的实用性将通过复杂的反分析得到增强，这将有助于对皮下组织进行有效的粘弹性“分析”。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究将a）促进多个工程学科之间的合作，b）帮助了解毫米级机械组织响应与其细胞级对应物之间的关系，c）帮助描绘皮肤癌的空间范围，该范围可能超出可见边缘15毫米。

This study aims to develop an experimental and computational platform for the viscoelastic characterization of layered soft tissues ( e.g. skin) on a millimeter scale. This would be accomplished via i) the scale reduction of the Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) testing methodology rooted in engineering geophysics, and ii) the development of a 1cm x 1cm PolyVinylidine DiFluoride (PVDF) transducer which would contain an array of parallel, string-shaped PVDF sensors adhered to the tissue. To reconstruct the layered tissue properties, a full-waveform, viscoelastic back-analysis of Rayleigh (surface) waves will be developed and tailored to meet the needs of the transducer. Intellectual merit: A novel, low-cost sensor array for the quantification of surficial tissue motion will be developed. The utility of the new transducer will be enhanced through a sophisticated back-analysis which would facilitate effective viscoelastic ``profiling'' of subcutaneous tissues. Broader Impacts: The proposed study would a) foster the collaboration among several engineering disciplines, b) help understand the relationship between the mechanical tissue response on a millimeter scale and its cell-level counterpart, and c) help delineate the spatial extent of skin cancer which may extend as much as 15 mm beyond the visible edge.