Parametric Finite Element Model and Mechanical Characterisation of Electrospun Materials for Biomedical Applications

Electrospun materials, due to their unique properties, have found many applications in the biomedical field. Exploiting porous nanofibrous structure, they are often used as scaffolds tissue engineering which closely resemble a native cellular environment. The structural and mechanical properties of substrates need be carefully optimised mimic cues by extracellular matrix guide cells’ behaviour improve existing scaffolds. Optimisation these parameters is enabled using finite element model electrospun structures proposed this study. First, fully parametric three-dimensional microscopic material with random fibrous network was developed. Experimental results were obtained testing poly(ethylene) oxide materials. Parameters single fibres determined atomic force microscopy nanoindentations input data for model. validation performed comparing output tensile test mats. We extensive analysis correlations understand crucial factors enable extrapolation simplified good agreement between simulation experimental data. potent tool optimisation enhanced regenerative therapies.