Mechanics of thin tissues and biological membranes

Biological membranes and thin planar tissues represent mechanical
structures with important physiological functions. Examples are the
fetal membranes, the tympanic membrane, the thin capsules of abdominal
organs, but also the thin layers of the skin. To understand these
functions or possible dysfunctions and their relation to mechanical
loads, we study the multiscale deformation behavior in homogeneous
strain states as well as in the near-field of notches or cracks.
Heterogeneous strain states are also investigated, for example related
to the deformation behavior of excisional skin wounds and its changes
during the healing process.