Project description
Novel tomography method reveals bone details down to the nanoscale
Bones are not strong in all directions, a property known as local anisotropy. This directional variation in mechanical behaviour is dictated by bone architecture and the precise arrangement of key components. Current imaging methods can only capture the bone’s architecture down to 10 micrometres. However, imaging details at the nano scale will help predict fractures. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RIETOM project will develop a new technique, Rietveld tomography, which combines X-ray diffraction and tensor tomography to measure anisotropic strain at the nano scale. Implementation of this approach is expected to improve models of bone mechanics and help design treatments for osteoporosis.
Objective
Bone and other hierarchically structured materials have unique mechanical properties, which are governed by the spatial arrangement of their nano-constituents. Their structure-mechanics relations can currently be determined down to ~10 µm using X-ray computed tomography. Below this, there is currently no method that can determine local anisotropy of its mechanical properties. This impedes state-of-the-art models from accurately predicting key macroscopic properties such as fracture behaviour. We propose in this project the development of a new method - Rietveld tomography - to determine local anisotropic macro- and micro-strain, based on a new way of analysing X-ray diffraction data that combines the properties of so-called X-ray tensor tomography and Rietveld refinement. The project will consist of the development of the mathematical formulation of Rietveld tomography in the environment of experts in this field at Aarhus Universitet, in particular supervisor Henrik Birkedal; combined with a stay at the secondment institution ESRF, where we will develop the experimental implementation of Rietveld tomography and validate the method. In the third part we will apply the method to osteonal bone and characterize its local response under mechanical load in situ. All that will be implemented and developed in the 24 months of the project, which compiles method development, data analysis strategy development and implementation, and experiments at large-scale synchrotron facilities.
We expect that this study will (1) provide a new method to the research community to study not only biominerals but polycrystalline materials in general, linking for the first time hierarchical structure and texture in nanostructured composites. (2) It will lead to a quantum leap in our understanding of bone micromechanics with ensuing impact on bone micromechanical modelling with expected improvements in fracture prediction and ultimately clinical practice in e.g. osteoporosis management.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.