i) To design a novel versatile scanning protocol to investigate the sample surface morphology by SEM;

ii) to observe the defects or anomalies, micro-cracking before and after mechanical solicitations of both bones and constructs.

Tomographic imaging allows investigation of structural features and chemical properties by combining large fields of view, high spatial resolution, and the ability to probe multiple length scales.

Enrolment: CNRS

Secondments:

1) Dr. F. Buccino, POLIMI: to perform an experimental analysis of the bone samples with respect to the sample extraction sites previously defined;

2) Prof. F. Berto, NTNU: to develop numerical models from SEM data  .

i) Multi-scale tomographic imaging;

ii) selection of the adapted technique for 3D reconstruction of bone samples and observation of bone defects and anomalies;

iii) a detailed 3D analysis of the hierarchical porosity and internal structures of these specimens will be carried out (FIB-SEM);

iv) porosity and chemical composition of bone sample surfaces and bone-scaffold interface will be determined and described by SEM and TEM, in 2D and in 3D.

v) feedback of porosity data will be share with the partners for numerical simulation for bone defects quantification.