Using surface topography to re-analyze gradients in mussel byssal threads

Thin film instabilities have been heavily utilized in recent years in the fields of thin film production, biology and nano-fabrication. The creation of specific wrinkling and buckling patterns has been used as both a characterization and control technique. This project aims to apply the analysis of thin film wrinkling patterns to characterize the mechanical gradient in the collagenous core fiber of mussel byssal threads. Mussel byssal threads have a natural, stiff, thin outer coating that is chemically and mechanically distinct from the softer collagenous core making them a prime subject for wrinkling analysis. Past work in the area has focused on full thread strain recovery dynamics and biochemical analysis of the collagenous and coating components in an attempt to understand the physical characteristics of the mussel byssal threads.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Ryan, Emmie A

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Niels Holten-Anderson.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/117324

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/117324