Dynamic Subsurface Deformation and Strain of Soft Hydrogel Interfaces Using an Embedded Speckle Pattern With 2D Digital Image Correlation

Background Subsurface mechanisms can greatly affect the mechanical behavior of biological materials, but observation of these mechanisms has remained elusive primarily due to unfavorable optical characteristics. Researchers attempt to overcome these limitations by performing experiments in biological mimics like hydrogels, but measurements are generally restricted due to the spatio-temporal limitations of current methods. Objective Utilization of contemporary 3D printing techniques into soft, transparent, aqueous yield-stress materials have opened new avenues of approach to overcoming these roadblocks. By incorporating digital image correlation with such 3D printing techniques, a method is shown here that can acquire full-field deformation of a hydrogel subsurface in real-time. Methods Briefly, the method replaces the solvent of a transparent and low polymer concentration yield-stress material with an aqueous hydrogel precursor solution, then a DIC speckle plane is 3D printed into it. This complex is then polymerized using photoinitiation thereby locking the speckle plane in place. Results Full-field deformation measurements are made in real-time as the embedded speckle plane (ESP) responds with the bulk to the applied load. Example results of deformation and strain fields associated with indentation, relaxation, and sliding contact experiments are shown. Conclusions This method has successfully observed the subsurface mechanical response in the bulk of a hydrogel and has the potential to answer fundamental questions regarding biological material mechanical behaviors.