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The Mechanical Properties Of Individual, Electrospun Fibrinogen Fibers, Christine C. Helms, Corentin Coulais, Manoj Namboothiry, David L. Carroll, Roy R. Hantgan, Martin Guthold

Physics Faculty Publications

We used a combined atomic force microscope (AFM)/fluorescence microscope technique to study the mechanical properties of individual, electrospun fibrinogen fibers in aqueous buffer. Fibers (average diameter 208 nm) were suspended over 12 μm-wide grooves in a striated, transparent substrate. The AFM, situated above the sample, was used to laterally stretch the fibers and to measure the applied force. The fluorescence microscope, situated below the sample, was used to visualize the stretching process. The fibers could be stretched to 2.3 times their original length before breaking; the breaking stress was 22·10⁶ Pa. We collected incremental stress-strain curves to determine the …