A METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF THE ANISOTROPIC PROPERTIES OF BIOMEMBRANES

A methodology was developed for potential determination of the anisotr opic properties of biomembranes. This method is based on the theoretic al discretization of a continuous membrane used for finite element ana lysis and the simultaneous measurement of the displacement of nodes on the surface of a membrane. From the given loads and measured nodal di splacements, one can assemble the resulting stiffness matrix and appro ximate the material properties associated with the membrane. Mathemati cal estimations and computer simulations performed to determine the pe rturbation of load and displacement errors on the resulting material p roperties. The results indicated that the material properties are part icularly sensitive to displacement errors. The displacement measuremen ts may require an accuracy of 20 mu m for a 4 x 4 cm(2) specimen. Sign ificant inaccuracies occur close to the points of load application. (C ) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.