Modal Identification of Gelatinous Structures Using Visio-Based Vibrometry

Gelatinous-based materials show promising uses in various fields such as tissue engineering and bioengineering. However, important structural characteristics such as natural frequencies and mode shapes of hydrogels and hydrogel-based objects are difficult to measure with conventional contact or non-contact-based techniques such as accelerometers and laser vibrometers. Solutions have been made by others using 3D laser imaging, x-ray imaging and ultrasound, but these are often expensive and have challenges in scenarios such as with translucent and small gelatinous objects. The goal of this research is to advance the state-of-the-art of characterizing structural properties of gelatinous materials by using vision based vibrometry. The technique uses video captured of the vibrating structure by a high-speed camera. Phase-based motion magnification is then used to selectively magnify the mode shapes of the object at the modal frequencies. This method is non-contact based and allows the mode shapes of the structure to be observed while eliminating the challenges that exist with conventional methods such as the cost and difficulty with measuring small and translucent objects. The numerical and experimental results illustrate promising potential for enhancing various fields including tissue engineering and bioengineerin