Mechanical Testing
Data Analysis
for Biomaterials Research
Overview of Our Mechanical Testing Data Analysis Tools
Data Analysis is the post-test analysis environment for data and images collected with our UniVert, BioTester, and MicroTester. Multiple tests can be opened in the same session, allowing researchers to review individual specimens, compare experimental groups, apply analysis tools, and export results for additional processing.
Graphs, curve fits, material models, and display settings are saved with each test. These settings can also be saved as reusable Analysis Templates and applied to other tests with similar data, helping researchers maintain a consistent mechanical testing data analysis workflow across multiple specimens.
Core capabilities include:
- Management and comparison of multiple mechanical tests
- Force, displacement, stress, strain, and time-based data visualization
- Curve fitting with goodness-of-fit reporting
- Material property calculations, including Young's modulus
- Reusable Analysis Templates for similar datasets
- Filtering by test set, cycle, phase, and repeat
- Synchronized mechanical data and image analysis
- Export of processed results, tracking data, images, and video
These tools support consistent and reproducible mechanical testing data analysis across a wide range of experimental workflows.
Reusable Analysis Templates for Consistent Workflows
Mechanical testing studies often require the same analysis procedure to be applied across many specimens. Data Analysis allows researchers to save graphs, curve fits, material models, and display settings as an Analysis Template and apply that configuration to other tests with similar data.
Rather than rebuilding the same analysis for every specimen, researchers can establish an analysis workflow and reuse it across an experimental group while still reviewing each dataset individually. This is particularly useful for studies comparing material formulations, treatment groups, tissue regions, or repeated mechanical tests.
Stress–Strain Curve Analysis and Curve Fitting
Stress-strain curve analysis is fundamental to characterizing the mechanical behaviour of biomaterials, soft tissues, and engineered constructs. When specimen dimensions are provided, Data Analysis calculates engineering stress and strain from measured force and displacement data and allows researchers to examine selected regions of the mechanical response.
Users can:
- Overlay multiple stress–strain curves for direct comparison
- Isolate specific sets, cycles, phases, and repeats for analysis
- Apply linear, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic curve fits to selected data regions
- Review fitted equations, coefficients, and R² values to evaluate goodness of fit
Curve fitting and stress-strain visualization provide the foundation for quantitative material property calculations and comparison across specimens or experimental groups.
Material Property Extraction and Young’s Modulus Calculation
Beyond visualization, Data Analysis supports material property extraction directly from mechanical testing data. Built-in tools guide researchers through Young’s modulus calculations using selected stress-strain regions and either displacement-based or image-measured strain.
Material property extraction workflows support:
- Calculation of Young's modulus from user-defined stress-strain regions
- Use of displacement-based or image-measured strain for modulus calculations
- Comparison of calculated properties across multiple tests or samples
- Automatic break or failure detection for test interpretation
Calculated results are presented alongside relevant test outputs and fit quality, allowing researchers to review and compare mechanical properties across specimens and experimental groups.
Viscoelastic Data Analysis and Time-Dependent Behaviour
Many biomaterials and biological tissues exhibit mechanical behaviour that depends on loading duration, rate, and previous deformation. Data Analysis supports mechanical testing data analysis for experiments involving creep, stress relaxation, cyclic loading, fatigue, recovery, and other time-dependent responses.
Researchers can isolate specific sets, cycles, phases, and repeats within a test to examine individual portions of a multi-step protocol. Force, displacement, stress, strain, and time-based data can then be plotted and compared, with curve fitting available for selected regions of the response.
These tools can be used to examine load-controlled and displacement-controlled behaviour, changes in stiffness over time, cycle-to-cycle response, and differences between elastic and time-dependent mechanical behaviour.
DIC Data Analysis and Image-Based Strain Measurement
For systems equipped with scientific imaging, Data Analysis combines synchronized images and mechanical data for digital image correlation (DIC) and non-contact strain measurement. This is especially useful when actuator or grip displacement does not fully represent localized deformation within soft or heterogeneous specimens.
Image-based analysis capabilities include:
- DIC for non-contact strain measurement
- Feature tracking and edge detection throughout a test
- Full-field and localized strain mapping, including principal strains
- Synchronized playback of force, displacement, and imaging data
Image-measured strain can also be used in Young’s modulus calculations, linking localized specimen deformation directly with measured mechanical response.
Compatible CellScale Mechanical Testing Systems
Data Analysis supports test review and mechanical testing data analysis for the UniVert, BioTester, and MicroTester platforms. Mechanical data, test protocols, results, and captured images can be reviewed within the same analysis environment.
Quantitative image tracking and strain mapping require compatible scientific imaging. When available, synchronized mechanical and visual data allow researchers to connect applied loading with specimen deformation throughout the test. The standard UniVert webcam supports image capture and playback but not quantitative image tracking; the Scientific Imaging System is required for these workflows.
BioTester
A planar biaxial mechanical testing system for soft tissues, membranes, and engineered constructs. BioTester data can be analyzed in both loading directions, with compatible scientific imaging supporting local strain measurement and deformation tracking.
MicroTester
A micro-mechanical testing system for organoids, spheroids, small tissues, fibres, micro-constructs, and other small or delicate specimens. Data Analysis supports mechanical data review together with synchronized micro-scale imaging and specimen tracking.
UniVert
Mechanical Testing Data Analysis Across Biomaterials Research
Mechanical testing data analysis is used across tissue engineering, hydrogel characterization, cancer mechanobiology, organoid and microtissue research, cardiovascular biomechanics, soft robotics, regenerative medicine, and advanced biomaterials development.
Across these applications, researchers often need to compare material stiffness, deformation, strain distribution, failure behaviour, or time-dependent response between samples. Combining mechanical data, material property calculations, and synchronized imaging within the same analysis workflow helps connect measured loads with the physical response of the specimen.
Tutorials, Manuals, and Additional Resources
To support effective mechanical testing data analysis workflows, additional resources are available:
If you need assistance with software installation, updates, or compatibility, technical support is available.
Need Help with Data Analysis?
Have a question about Data Analysis, curve fitting, Young’s modulus calculation, image tracking, or another analysis workflow? Our technical support team can help with CellScale software and system-specific questions.
