Computational Tissue Biomechanics

blended course

The course introduces and applies state-of-the-art tools in the continuum mechanical analysis of biological tissues. It is designed for master students and PhD students having a decent background in mechanical engineering and solid mechanics. The course integrates theoretical, numerical, and experimental concepts in the description and analysis of biological tissues. Lectures (24 hours) are combined with dedicated Q&A sessions / case studies (7 hours), hands-on laboratory (4 hours) and Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling work (4 hours) towards the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge. Practical tasks are carried out in groups of approximately 12 students and are supervised. The course material will be distributed during the lectures and the content then
assessed through a multiple-choice questionary to be answered in groups of four students. Upon positive evaluation, a course certificate is handed out, matching the requirement to acquire 2.0 ECTS points from the student’s home university. Besides the educational aspect, the course actively fosters interaction among participants, see the program for some of such activities.

Faculty
Aisling Ni Annaidh, University College Dublin, Ireland
David Marlevi, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
Gerard A. Ateshian, Columbia University, US
Hanna Isaksson, Lund University, Sweden
Marco Viceconti, University of Bologna, Italy
Svein Kleiven, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
T.Christian Gasser, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Vikram S. Deshpande, Cambridge University, UK

Laboratory Instructors
Marta Alloisio, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

Lectures (24 hours)
Continuum biomechanics and FEM (Gasser)
Conservation laws (Deshpande)
Constitutive modelling (Ateshian)
Clinical imaging modalities (Marlevi)
Bone tissue (Viceconti)
Ligament/tendon/articular cartilage (Isaksson)
Cardiovascular tissue (Gasser)
Skin (Annaidh)
Brain (Kleiven)

Ask the experts sessions (7 hours)

Hands-on laboratory (8 hours; in groups of at most 12 students)
In-vitro experimental tissue characterization including DIC measurements
Linear and non-linear FEM modelling

Social program
Boat tour through Stockholm archipelago (August 18th)
Guided tour through the Nobel Prize Museum
Guided tour through KTH main campus
Dinner (August 22nd)
Pub night (August 23rd)

Registration fees (excluding tax)
Lectures: 250€ (before May 1st, 2024) | 290€ (after May 1st, 2024)
Hands-on laboratory: 160€ (before May 1st, 2024) | 180€ (after May 1st, 2024)
Dinner: 90€

Course leader

T.Christian Gasser

Target group

The course is designed for master students and PhD students having a decent background in mechanical engineering and solid mechanics

Course aim

Provide a state-of-the-art overview of possibilities and limitations of tissue biomechanics

Credits info

2 EC
A course certificate lists the content of course to be used to grant ECTS at the student's home university.

Fee info

EUR 250: Lectures
EUR 160: Hands-on laboratory

Scholarships

once attendance covers costs, contact gasser@kth.se for more information