This $823,472 National Science Foundation project grant will fund research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to advance understanding of soft tissue interfaces. The Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation is supporting this work under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041).
The university researchers will experimentally and computationally investigate the mechanisms governing the mechanical behavior of soft tissue interfaces. They will conduct experiments to quantify spatial heterogeneity and various material behaviors at cartilage-cartilage interfaces. Researchers will then develop finite element models incorporating this data to interpret displacement and reveal the fundamental phenomena. Outcomes aim to provide new insights applicable to surgical repair of soft tissues and bioinspired soft robotics design. Results will be shared with students and the public to further the NSF's mission of promoting science education.