Modeling Interface Nanostructure and Effective propeRties in musculoskeletAL mineralized tissues (MINERAL)

This PhD project aims at advanced research at the interface of biomechanics, applied mathematics and computational simulation.
Musculoskeletal mineralized tissues (MMTs), such as tendons and bones, are characterized by a sophisticated hierarchical structure that makes them inherently multi-scale composite materials. The aim of this project is to investigate the intricate interactions between the fundamental components of MMTs and their interactions across different spatial scales. In particular, the project will focus on the mineral-collagen interface, the contact zone between the mineral phase and the organic matrix within MMTs. Biologically, this interface is essential as it allows mineral deposition and contributes to calcium homeostasis. Mechanically, the interface transfers loads from the organic matrix (softer) to the mineral phase (stiffer), giving MMTs their strength.

This PhD project focuses on the development of advanced mechanical models of the mineral-collagen interface. The main goals of this research are to
● apply newly developed contact models to better describe the nanoscale structure of the interface;
● apply upscaling techniques to link the mechanical properties at the different scales and develop multiscale constitutive models capable of describing the macroscopic mechanical properties of bone;
● compare the results of the multiscale model with available literature data.

Supervisor Dr Frédéric Lebon, LMA, Aix-Marseille University, ED 353 - Sciences pour l’Ingénieur Co-Supervisor Dr Raffaella Rizzoni, LAI, Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Ferrara, Italy, Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze dell'Ingegneria Intersectoral partner : Composites Expertise & Solutions , France International partner : School of Mathematics and Statistics , University of Glasgow, UK

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