Abstract

In this thesis, a finite element and experimental modal analysis are employed to determine the mechanical properties of the living cells. Because the determination of mechanical properties of the living cells and particularly the natural frequencies are highly important to diagnose the health condition of cells, a comprehensive analysis is carried out to determine the natural frequencies of individual cells. Since many cells have a spherical shape, a spherical shape of the cell is considered for this analysis. The natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes are determined for specific type of cell whose elastic properties of cell have been measured experimentally. To validate the numerical analysis, an experimental set up is designed to measure the natural frequencies of some scaled up models of cell. In parallel, the numerical method that was used for cell modal analysis is employed to determine the natural frequencies of scaled up models of cell to show the agreement between the finite element and experimental analyses. For then, the FEA model is extrapolated to the biological cell. The results obtained from the finite element modal analysis of cell are compared to the latest reports available on the values of natural frequencies of cell.