Dataset on biomimetic hierarchically arranged nanofibrous structures resembling the architecture and the passive mechanical properties of skeletal muscles: a step forward towards artificial muscles

The present database contains the data presented and discussed in the paper “Biomimetic hierarchically arranged nanofibrous structures resembling the architecture and the passive mechanical properties of skeletal muscles: a step forward towards artificial muscle” by Carlo Gotti, Alberto Sensini, Gianmaria Fornaia, Chiara Gualandi, Andrea Zucchelli and Maria Letizia Focarete, accepted for publication in the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2020, doi 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00767). The paper describes an approach for the biomimetic design of engineered muscle, that makes use of an elastomeric polyurethane with suitable mechanical performances, processed with the electrospinning technology, to produce a hierarchically arranged nanofibrous structure resembling the architecture and passive biomechanical properties of skeletal muscles. Scaffolds morphology and physical properties are studied and a detailed analysis of material mechanical properties is performed, taking into account the different levels of increasing complexity, going from mats to bundles and finally the hierarchical nanofibrous electrospun structure (HNES). Data include the thermal characterization of the pristine PU pellets (thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis), force-displacement data obtained through mechanical tensile tests along with the different geometrical and physical characterization of the samples, the results of the mechanical characterization, data on the nanofibrous alignment and the outcome of a statistical analysis