4D CHARACTERIZATION OF FAST VIBRATING FIBROUS STRUCTURES USING MULTISCALE SYNCHROTRON X-RAY 4D TOMOGRAPHY: APPLICATION TO VOCAL-FOLD MODELS

The goal of this proposal is to observe and quantify the 4D strain-induced structural evolutions of biomimetic models of vocal folds (polymeric matrix reinforced by 3D fibrous lattices), once subjected to realistic mechanical vibratory loadings using synchrotron X-ray 4D tomography. To do so, there is a need of (i) methodological developments regarding acquisition and reconstruction procedures to image fast-oscillating structures (50 to 400 Hz) at various spatial resolutions (10 μm to 2 μm). (ii) multiscale structural and mechanical characterization of realistic vibrating models of human vocal folds that will mimic the mesoscale multi-layered structures made of microscale fibrous architectures. This study will provide unprecedented 4D multiscale information to gain an in-depth understanding of the link between the multiscale structures and the micromechanics of vocal-fold tissues with their unique vibratory performances, which is required to develop new biomimetic oscillators.