Residual stresses in healing bone in skeletally aging mice

Previous work using diffraction has shown that the nanocrystal c-lattice parameter in mouse bones can vary due to stresses induced by shrinkage or expansion of collagen in the nanocomposite. Here we propose to use diffraction mapping to examine the effects of dehydration on nanocrystal deformation in different bone tissue types of healing bone, namely callus and cortical bone tissues. The c lattice parameter will be determined in relation to bone healing sites to assess the effects of changes to the levels of mineralization in murine bone samples. By measuring lattice constants before and after exposure to collagen-destroying radiation, residual strain distributions will be determined. Results will help us understand the role and emerence of residual strains in the natural tissue and to asses to what extent, tissue healing modulates these strains.