Research

The study of the mechanical behavior of living tissues is a fascinating and challenging application of continuum mechanics. Characteristic features of soft biological tissues include large strain viscoelasticity, poroelasticity, anisotropy, and loading history dependence of the mechanical response. Their heterogeneous microstructure leads to significant differences of stiffness and kinematics depending on the considered length scale. The construction, execution, analysis, and interpretation of corresponding experiments represent some of our core activities. Experimental observations are rationalized using advanced continuum models as well as discrete fiber network models. Recent investigations include the study of chemo-electro-mechanical coupled processes in soft tissues and hydrogels.

We develop new experimental methods and models for the solution of challenging problems of continuum mechanics. Applications include biomechanics and mechanobiology of soft human tissue, advanced manufacturing, mechanical integrity of energy systems.