Extracellular matrices (ECMs) found in vertebrate tissues are fiber reinforced composite materials that prevent premature mechanical failure, store, transmit, and dissipate mechanical energy generated by the musculoskeletal system. We have developed a new method using optical cohesion tomography and vibrational analysis to non-destructively and non-invasively measure the mechanical properties of composite tissues and polymeric materials. In addition, this method can be used to measure the moduli of individual components of composite materials and perform “mechanical spectroscopy” on materials. In addition, we propose that measurement of the resonant frequency of a material minimizes the viscoelastic behavior of a composite material. This approach simplifies the analysis of mechanical behavior of polymers and others materials that demonstrate time-dependence to their properties.
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