Academic literature on the topic 'Measurement of micro- and nano-force'

The mechanical property is one of the important parameters for evaluating micro/nano-scale materials. The measurement of micro/nano-mechanical property usually involves measurements of small displacement and force. To provide a traceable force standard in micro/nano-newton level, we have developed a force measurement system based on electrostatic sensing and actuation techniques. The system mainly consists of a monolithic flexure stage, a three-electrode capacitor and a digital controller. The three-electrode capacitor is utilized as a position sensor, and at the same time an electrostatic force actuator. The force under measurement is balanced by a compensation electrostatic force which is traceable to electrical and length standards. A commercial cantilever-type micro-force probe was used in this calibration experiment. The force probe was brought to contact with and press into the load button (a ruby sphere) of the force measurement system by a closed-loop controlled z-scanner. The spring constant was obtained from the average slope determined from measured force-displacement curves and was found to be (2.26 ± 0.01) N/m where the given uncertainty is one standard deviation. We have successfully demonstrated the calibration of the microforce probe using our self-developed electrostatic sensing and actuating force measurement system. The measured spring constant is consistent with the manufacturer's specification, and the relative standard deviation is less than 0.5%. Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.

Two different types of experimental methods have beeen developed for measuring lateral interaction forces between two solid surfaces for nano- and micro-meter scale contacts. One is the type of direct measurement methods which typically utilize AFM instrumentations. In the direct lateral force measurements some size-scale effects are commonly observed due to the effects of adhesion and surface roughness. A recent development of a fine AFM lateral force calibration method, a diamagnetic lateral force calibrator, has made it possible to study such size-scale effects systematically. The other type is the field projection method which requires a high resolution measurement of a deformation field near the edge of a contact. For such measurements a comprehensive map of deformation measurement techniques is introduced in a domain of spatial and strain resolutions. This technique provides a way of assessing the non-uniform distribution of the surface interaction forces for nano and micro-meter scale contacts.

Purpose There is an increasing demand for higher-accuracy dimensional measurements of nano- and micro-structures. Recently, the authors presented a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor-based dynamic nano-coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) probe for true three-dimensional coordinate measurement, in which a specific mechanical structure with several FBG sensors was developed to provide the probe with sensitivity to loading in all directions. Design/methodology/approach The study presents a three-dimensional sensing and demodulation system based on an improved matched filter design and the time division multiplexing technique that helps solve the problem of multiplex FBG-signals conflicts. In addition, the application of the dynamic mode of the probe system effectively solves the problem presented by the surface interaction forces. Findings Consequently, this FBG-based vibrating probe system has increased sensitivity to strain, while maintaining smaller contact force. The experiments for testing probe performance show that the prototype yielded a measurement resolution of 13 nm, a repeatability of 50 nm and a vertical measurement force of less than1.5 mN. Research limitations/implications The force tests in the horizontal directions are difficult to conduct because both the probe and the dynamometer are only adaptable to vertical use. Practical implications Development of the FBG-based dynamic nano-coordinate-measuring machine probe will achieve a new and inexpensive method for higher-accuracy dimensional measurements of nano- and micro-structures, such as micro-electromechanical systems, micro-fluidic chips, inkjet and diesel engine injector nozzles that are in overall dimensions within the micrometer scale. Originality/value The study presents a three-dimensional sensing and demodulation system for the vibrating nano-coordinate-measuring machine probe based on FBG sensors. The prototype yielded a measurement resolution of 13 nm, a repeatability of 50 nm and a vertical measurement force of less than1.5 mN.

The micro-force sensors were widely used in the areas of micro-assembly, micro-factories, micro-robotics, MEMS characterization, Nano-manipulation, Biological and biomedical research, Material properties, etc. It was also used as a transfer standard in micro-force machine or instrument. The capacitance-type force sensor was used to sense forces with micro-Newton (sub-milligram) resolution. And it was used as a transducer for the micro-force instrument in CMS. In this paper, we will report the preliminary results of thermal drift properties in capacitance-type force sensor.

Microcontact force measurement is widely applied in micro/nano manufacturing, medicine and microelectromechanical systems. Most microcontact force measurements are performed by using mass comparators, nano-indenter and precision electronic balance, and weighing sensors. However, these instruments have a complex structure and high cost. Nevertheless, the rapid development of microsensor technology provides a new, simple and low-cost approach for microcontact force measurement. In this study, we present a method of microcontact force measurement by using micropressure sensors and study the relationship amongst the microcontact force, output voltage and contact position of the sensor. We use a microcapacitance pressure sensor as an example, then we perform a simulation calculation and construct a microcontact force experiment system to verify the simulation results. The experimental and simulation results are consistent. In addition, an equation that describes the relationship amongst the microcontact force, output voltage and contact position of the sensor is obtained. Based on this simple and low-cost method, we build a micro-manipulation system, which indicates that the micropressure sensors can be used to measure microcontact force in various applications easily and cost-effectively. Furthermore, it is considerably relevant to research and application in this field.

In recent years with the development of MEMS and NEMS, various micro and nano scale experiments are required. In general, the smaller the sample, the smaller the force is in the measurement. But it is difficult to load and measure such small force. We developed a probe-type loading and force sensor system to measure micro/nano samples. The system employs a semiconductor strain gauge of a cantilever type sensor and a micro manipulator. A highly sensitive, stable sensing cantilever beam made of single crystal silicon is ion implanted to form the P-type resistor (strain sensor). A tungsten probe with 100 nm radius of curvature was attached to the end of the cantilever as the micro loading tip. We constructed the measurement system and investigated its properties, such as linearity, dynamic response and stability. We also employed microspeckle interferometry to calibrate the force sensor. In preliminary experiments, we successfully obtained the force resolution 0.7 μN and applied our probe-type microforce sensor to calibrate an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe beam and test a single silkworm filament.

With the development and industrialization of micro- and nano- technology, small force measurements are widely applied in many fields such as advanced materials, bio-technology, aerospace and so on. For realizing traceable small forces and founding small force metrology hierarchy in China, NIM has launched a research project on small force metrology in 2011. 2 methods for small force realization at the scale of nano-Newton to micro-Newton are applied: electrical force based method and mass based method. The initial prototype of small force standard, which is based on the electrostatic force realization and adopts a coaxial cylindrical capacitor, has been developed and experimented. 2 kinds of micro force transmission mechanism are applied to the prototype: a parallelogram mechanism with 4 flexure hinges, and a lever-type force measurement system based on an elastic torsion bar. The structure and key units of 2 schemes are described in detail, the experiment results are demonstrated. The system stiffness of torsion bar scheme is smaller than that of flexure hinges scheme. In addition, structure of the initial prototype will be improved, and the environment conditions will be controlled strictly in our further experiments to minimize the creep of our system.

Micro/nano-scale structured surfaces play a critical role in precision engineering. For Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), they are key factors to ensure the system's functional performance. However, the measurement and characterisation of micro/nano-scale structured surface is still a great challenge for metrologists. As the size of structured surface features is in the range of nm-pm, the traditional measurement methods are no longer available for the micro/nano-scale structured surfaces. The reason is that the conventional measurement instruments often cannot reach the precision of the required measurement task. Moreover, the conventional characterisation and evaluation methods are not applicable for the micro/nano-scale structured surfaces due to their unique characteristics compared to macro engineered surfaces. Therefore, theoretical research of measurement and characterisation for micro/nano-scale structured surfaces needs to be carried out to meet the requirements for future inspection instruments. The aim of this thesis is to establish a practical measurement guide and develop a methodology for characterisation and evaluation of micro/nano scale structured surfaces. The presented thesis has reviewed the definitions and classifications of structured surfaces. Their most significant applications in MEMS have been introduced. Measurement methods for structured surfaces based on different principles have been investigated. Measurement instruments employed throughout the research of the project have been summarized. To improve the evaluation efficiency, a new classification is given based on the surfaces' micro feature characteristics. Datum planes for structured surfaces have been established. Surface data pre processing, including data enhancement and denoising techniques have been developed. To extract the primary form of the structured surface, a novel feature extraction algorithm based on active contours has been developed and compared with low-level feature extraction techniques. For micro structured steps, evaluation parameters and methods have been investigated with corresponding case studies.

La mesure de micro- et nano-force fait partie des mesures nécessaires à la caractérisation des interactionsou des propriétés mécaniques intervenant à l’échelle micrométrique. Dans cette optique,nous avons poursuivi un travail de conception initié au Laboratoire d’Automatique de Besançon en2002 pour développer un prototype avancé de capteur de micro- et nano-force par lévitation diamagnétique.Le transducteur force-déplacement de ce capteur est un microcapillaire rigide en verred’une dizaine de centimètres. Ce microcapillaire est en lévitation passive stable dans l’espace grâceà l’action conjuguée de forces magnétiques et diamagnétiques créant ainsi un ressort magnétiquevirtuel. La mesure d’une force externe appliquée à l’extrémité du capillaire est rendue possible grâceà la connaissance de la mesure du déplacement du capillaire et de la raideur du ressort magnétique.La plage de mesure de ce capteur varie entre ±40 μN avec une résolution de l’ordre du nanonewton.Les avancées présentées dans ce manuscrit ont porté sur la détermination des efforts diamagnétiquesengendrés par l’utilisation des plaques de graphite. Ce travail a permis une optimisation dudesign global du dispositif et son transfert à l’entreprise STIL SA. De plus un processus d’estimationpar déconvolution a été développé pour tenir compte du comportement dynamique du micro capillaireet des bruits de mesure du déplacement. Les domaines d’applications potentiels de ce dispositifconcernent notamment la caractérisation des interactions mécaniques quasi-statiques pouvant intervenirentre deux micro-objets et la détermination de propriétés mécaniques propres à un micro-objet<br>The measurement of micro- and nano-force is necessary to characterize the mechanical propertiesand interactions occurring at micrometer scale. In this context, we work on an advanced design ofmicro- and nano-force sensor based on diamagnetic levitation initiated at Laboratoire d’Automatiquede Besançon in 2002. The force-displacement transducer of this sensor is a ten centimeter long glassmicro capillary. This micro capillary levitates passively and stably thanks to the combined action ofmagnetic and diamagnetic forces which create a virtual magnetic spring. Measuring an external forceapplied to the end of the capillary is made possible through knowledge of the capillary displacementand the stiffness of magnetic spring. The measuring range of the sensor varies between ±40 μN witha resolution about a nanonewton. Advances presented in this thesis focused on the determinationof the diamagnetic forces generated by the use of graphite plates. This work has allowed us tooptimize the overall design of the device and transfer it to our industrial partner STIL SA. Moreovera deconvolution estimation process was developed to take into account the dynamic behavior of themicro capillary and measurement noises. Potential fields of application of this device concern themechanical characterization of quasistatic interactions which may occur between two micro-objectsand the determination of intrinsic mechanical properties of a micro-object

The ongoing interest in bacterial interactions with various surfaces, followed by attachment and subsequent biofilm formation, has been driven by the importance of bacterial activities in number of medical, industrial and technological applications. However, bacterial adhesion to surfaces has not been completely understood due to the complexity of parameters involved. The study presented herein investigates the attachment pattern of nine medically and environmentally significant bacteria belonging to different taxonomic lineages: Firmicutes - Bacillus, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteriodetes. Physicochemical assessment techniques such as contact angle and surface charge measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy (CLSM), as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) analysis were all employed in order to attain better insight into the factors that influence bacterial interactions with surfaces. Bacterial surface characteristics such as surface wettability and charge in addition to substratum surface wettability, tension, charge and chemistry were also considered. However due to the recent interest in designing micro-textured surfaces with antibacterial and/or antifouling effects the prime was given to the influence of micro- and nano-meter scale surface textures on bacterial adhesion. The interactions between selected bacteria and glass, polymer and optical fibre surfaces were studied. Carefully designed methods for surface modification allowed alteration of the topography of glass, polymer and optical fibre surfaces while maintaining other surface parameters near constant. This allowed isolated assessment of only the effects of surface roughness on bacterial adhesion. Obtained results indicated consistent cellular inclination towards the smoother surfaces for all of the tested species. Enhanced bacterial presence on the smoother surfaces was also accompanied by changes in the bacterial metabolic activity as indicated by the elevated levels of secreted extracellular polymeric materials (EPS) and modifications in the cells morphology. The results indicate that nano-scale surface roughness exert greater influence on bacterial adhesion than previously believed and should therefore be considered as a parameter of primary interest alongside other wellrecognized factors that control initial bacterial attachment.

La métrologie de position est un domaine critique en microrobotique, où les forts facteurs d'échelle et les perturbations subies contraignent souvent à utiliser de nombreux capteurs hautes-performances. La vision offre alors des outils très intéressants, tant en termes d'encombrement que de nombre de degrés de liberté mesurables.Les travaux développés au cours de cette thèse ont pour but d'apporter, grâce à l'observation de mires pseudo-périodiques, des solutions aux différents verrous rencontrés classiquement dans ce contexte, notamment en termes de rapport plage/résolution ou de mesure multi-DDL. Plusieurs méthodes originales ont été proposées, éprouvées expérimentalement sur plusieurs types d'applications (mesure de position, asservissement visuel, mesure de force, etc.) et constituées en réponse aux différentes problématiques soulevées (précision nanométrique sur plage millimétrique, mesure 6 DDL, haute robustesse, etc.)<br>Position metrology is a critical domain in microrobotics, where high scale factors and perturbations often force to use numerous high-performance sensors.Vision offers very interesting tools, both in terms of congestion and number of measurable degrees of freedom.The work developed during this thesis aims at bringing, thanks to pseudo-periodic patterns, solutions to the different locks conventionally encountered in this context, in particular in terms of range-to-resolution ratio or multi-DDL measurement.Several original methods have been proposed, tested experimentally on several types of applications (position measurement, visual servoing, force measurement, etc.) and maded in response to the various problems raised (nanometric precision on millimetric range, 6~DDL measurement, high robustness, etc.)

De nos jours, les systèmes intègrent de plus en plus de fonctionnalités dans des volumes de plus en plus petits grâce aux microcomposants intégrés. L'assemblage de ces microcomposants nécessite des systèmes de manipulation précis et reproductibles. Un nombre considérable de recherches ont été menées afin de mettre au point des actionneurs et des microrobots capables d'effectuer des tâches de positionnement ou de manipulation avec des précisions microniques voire submicroniques. Les technologies piézoélectriques jouent un rôle fondamental dans les applications de positionnement à résolution nanométrique ou même inférieure. Ces matériaux permettent la conception et le développement de systèmes de positionnement avec résolution et bande passante élevées. Cependant, des effets non linéaires tels que l'hystérésis et la dérive lente affectent la précision de la position des systèmes à base piézoélectrique s'ils ne sont pas contrôlés. Souvent, des capteurs de position sont montés sur ces systèmes pour permettre un contrôle en boucle fermée et l'élimination des effets d'hystérésis et de dérive lente. Néanmoins, l'intégration de capteurs permettant un asservissement robuste et de qualité pose des problèmes spécifiques aux microrobots. Cela est particulièrement vrai lorsque le nombre de degrés de liberté augmente. En effet, les capteurs de position qui jouissent d'une bonne résolution et précision sont généralement très volumineux et coûteux. Les solutions alternatives à l’intégration de capteurs de position externes peuvent être regroupées en deux catégories: soit par contrôle en boucle ouverte, également appelé schémas de contrôle prédictifs, soit par des techniques basées sur le contrôle par auto-détection (Self-Sensing Actuation - SSA), c’est-à-dire un contrôle en boucle fermée utilisant l'actionneur piézoélectrique comme son propre capteur.Dans cette thèse, l'objectif est de concevoir et de contrôler un système de positionnement basé sur la technologie piézoélectrique avec une méthode de mesure intégrée par SSA et ayant plusieurs degrés de liberté. À cette fin, les deux classes de SSA, à savoir le SSA basé sur l’effet direct piézoélectrique et le SSA basé sur la modification des propriétés électriques de l'actionneur piézoélectrique (PEA), sont étudiées en profondeur afin de déterminer celle qui convient le mieux au contrôle de la force et de la position dans les actionneurs piézoélectriques caractérisés par le fluage et non-linéarités d'hystérésis et consacrés à des opérations précises. De plus, cette étude présente un modèle constitutif et une technique d’identification de paramètres améliorés, qui prend en compte l’effet de couplage électromécanique et les non linéarités sur les propriétés du matériau piézoélectrique (constantes élastiques et diélectriques).Une nouvelle technique d'évaluation en temps réel des propriétés électriques du PEA est développée. Cette évaluation est basée sur la mesure de l’amplitude du courant de détection résultant de l’application d’une tension d’entrée haute fréquence de faible amplitude superposée à la tension d’entrée de commande qui actionne le PEA. Ensuite, un estimateur qui utilise le courant de détection pour estimer la position du PEA est conçu. Enfin, une plate-forme microrobotique pour le positionnement planaire à haute résolution avec la mesure intégrée par SSA développée est présentée<br>Currently, systems integrate more and more functionalities into smaller volumes thanks to embedded micro-components. The assembly of those components requires precise and repeatable systems of manipulation. Substantial amounts of research have been carried out for developing actuators and microrobots to perform positioning or manipulation with micron- or even submicron accuracies. Piezoelectric technologies play a fundamental role in positioning applications with nanoscale or even lower resolution. These materials make possible the design and development of positioning systems with high resolution and bandwidth. However, nonlinear effects such as hysteresis and creep affect the position accuracy of piezoelectric-based systems if not controlled. Often, position sensors are mounted to these systems to permit a feedback control and the elimination of the hysteresis and creep effects. Nonetheless, the integration of sensors to enable quality and robust servo control poses specific problems for microrobots. This is especially true when the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) increases. Precision position sensors are usually very bulky and expensive. Alternative solutions to the integration of external position sensors can be grouped into two categories: either by open-loop control, also called feedforward control schemes or by Self-Sensing Actuation (SSA) control-based techniques, that is, a feedback control that uses the piezoelectric actuator as its own sensor.In this thesis, the objective is to design and control a piezoelectric-based positioning system with an embedded measurement by SSA method and having several degrees of freedom. To this end, the two classes of SSA, namely SSA based on the piezoelectric direct effect and the SSA based on the change of electrical properties of the piezoelectric actuator (PEAs), are studied in depth to determine the more adequate for force and position control in piezoelectric actuators typified by creep and hysteresis nonlinearities and devoted to precise operations. Additionally, from this study, an improved constitutive model and parameter identification technique are presented which includes the electromechanical coupling effect on the piezoelectric material properties (elastic and dielectric constants).A novel technique for real-time evaluation of the PEA's electrical properties is developed. This evaluation is based on the measurement of the amplitude of the detection current that results from the application of high-frequency low amplitude input voltage that is superimposed to the control input voltage which actuates the PEA. Then an estimator that uses the detection current to estimate the PEA's position is designed. Finally, a microrobotics platform for planar positioning with high resolution and the developed embedded measurement by SSA is presented

This thesis outlines the development of two new techniques that exploit very small structures, on the micro- and nano-scale, to enable innovative electrical transport measurements on a variety of materials of current interest in condensed matter physics. The first technique aims to apply the versatility of electron-beam lithography for micro-fabrication of patterned electronic circuitry to the problem of performing transport experiments on individual crystallites taken from a typical powder sample. We show that these small samples, tens of microns in size, are actually often very high quality single crystals and can be exploited for measurements of electrical transport in materials of which no larger crystals are available. By way of demonstration, we present the results of preliminary transport measurements on a crystallite of the layered oxide chalcogenide Sr₂MnO₂Cu_1.5Se₂. We report a phase transition in the resistivity at 213K which may correspond to the onset of previously reported short-range order in copper and vacancy sites in the Cu_1.5Se₂ planes. The second technique is designed to investigate the topological protection of surface transport in 3-D topological insulators. We decorate the surfaces of single-crystal samples with two different species from a well-characterised family of single-molecule magnets. The two coatings have an electrostatically identical influence on the sample surface, but differ in that one species carries a spin and the other is spinless. The spinless molecule acts as a control, to allow us to cleanly determine the influence of the magnetic component of a scattering potential on transport in the surface. With this technique we investigate proposed topological Kondo insulator SmB₆. We find that the surface state dominates low-temperature transport and demonstrate that the momentum relaxation is very sensitive to a spin degree of freedom in the scatterer, in keeping with expectations of a topological insulator.

En microrobotique, la mesure de micro et nano force figure parmi les informations nécessaires pour caractériser les interactions mécaniques présentes à l'échelle micrométrique. Dans cette optique, nous avons développé un capteur de mesure micro et nano force reposant sur un principe de flottaison-magnétique. L'organe sensible du capteur est une plate-forme macroscopique rectangulaire sur laquelle s'appliquent les forces et couples à mesurer. La sustentation et le maintien de la plate-forme sont assurés par le biais de forces magnétiques et de la poussée d'Archimède appliquée à quatre flotteurs placés à ses coins. La plate-forme est conçue pour mesurer uniquement des forces dan le plan horizontal ainsi que le couple vertical associé. L'étendue de mesure des forces varie entre -100 et +100 micronN avec une résolution de l'ordre du nanoNewton. elle travaille en mode actif grâce à un asservissement autour de sa configuration d'équilibre (établie en absence d'efforts à mesurer). La nature des efforts de rappel utilisés pour la mise en oeuvre de l'asservissement est électromagnétique. Les modèles magnétique et électromagnétique développés permettent alors de déterminer les forces qui s'appliquent au centre de gravité de la plate-forme par le biais de la connaissance de la configuration spatiale de cette dernière et des courants dans les bobines de commande. En termes d'application, cette plate-forme peut être utilisée dans le cadre de la caractérisation des micro-objets déformables (micromécanismes, cellules, etc...) et des microsurfaces.

Bones are multifunctional passive organs of movement that supports soft tissue and directly attached muscles. They also protect internal organs and are a reserve of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Each bone is covered with periosteum, and the adjacent bone surfaces are covered by articular cartilage. Histologically, the bone is an organ composed of many different tissues. The main component is bone tissue (cortical and spongy) composed of a set of bone cells and intercellular substance (mineral and organic), it also contains fat, hematopoietic (bone marrow) and cartilaginous tissue. Bones are a tissue that even in adult life retains the ability to change shape and structure depending on changes in their mechanical and hormonal environment, as well as self-renewal and repair capabilities. This process is called bone turnover. The basic processes of bone turnover are: • bone modeling (incessantly changes in bone shape during individual growth) following resorption and tissue formation at various locations (e.g. bone marrow formation) to increase mass and skeletal morphology. This process occurs in the bones of growing individuals and stops after reaching puberty • bone remodeling (processes involve in maintaining bone tissue by resorbing and replacing old bone tissue with new tissue in the same place, e.g. repairing micro fractures). It is a process involving the removal and internal remodeling of existing bone and is responsible for maintaining tissue mass and architecture of mature bones. Bone turnover is regulated by two types of transformation: • osteoclastogenesis, i.e. formation of cells responsible for bone resorption • osteoblastogenesis, i.e. formation of cells responsible for bone formation (bone matrix synthesis and mineralization) Bone maturity can be defined as the completion of basic structural development and mineralization leading to maximum mass and optimal mechanical strength. The highest rate of increase in pig bone mass is observed in the first twelve weeks after birth. This period of growth is considered crucial for optimizing the growth of the skeleton of pigs, because the degree of bone mineralization in later life stages (adulthood) depends largely on the amount of bone minerals accumulated in the early stages of their growth. The development of the technique allows to determine the condition of the skeletal system (or individual bones) in living animals by methods used in human medicine, or after their slaughter. For in vivo determination of bone properties, Abstract 10 double energy X-ray absorptiometry or computed tomography scanning techniques are used. Both methods allow the quantification of mineral content and bone mineral density. The most important property from a practical point of view is the bone’s bending strength, which is directly determined by the maximum bending force. The most important factors affecting bone strength are: • age (growth period), • gender and the associated hormonal balance, • genotype and modification of genes responsible for bone growth • chemical composition of the body (protein and fat content, and the proportion between these components), • physical activity and related bone load, • nutritional factors: – protein intake influencing synthesis of organic matrix of bone, – content of minerals in the feed (CA, P, Zn, Ca/P, Mg, Mn, Na, Cl, K, Cu ratio) influencing synthesis of the inorganic matrix of bone, – mineral/protein ratio in the diet (Ca/protein, P/protein, Zn/protein) – feed energy concentration, – energy source (content of saturated fatty acids - SFA, content of polyun saturated fatty acids - PUFA, in particular ALA, EPA, DPA, DHA), – feed additives, in particular: enzymes (e.g. phytase releasing of minerals bounded in phytin complexes), probiotics and prebiotics (e.g. inulin improving the function of the digestive tract by increasing absorption of nutrients), – vitamin content that regulate metabolism and biochemical changes occurring in bone tissue (e.g. vitamin D3, B6, C and K). This study was based on the results of research experiments from available literature, and studies on growing pigs carried out at the Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences. The tests were performed in total on 300 pigs of Duroc, Pietrain, Puławska breeds, line 990 and hybrids (Great White × Duroc, Great White × Landrace), PIC pigs, slaughtered at different body weight during the growth period from 15 to 130 kg. Bones for biomechanical tests were collected after slaughter from each pig. Their length, mass and volume were determined. Based on these measurements, the specific weight (density, g/cm3) was calculated. Then each bone was cut in the middle of the shaft and the outer and inner diameters were measured both horizontally and vertically. Based on these measurements, the following indicators were calculated: • cortical thickness, • cortical surface, • cortical index. Abstract 11 Bone strength was tested by a three-point bending test. The obtained data enabled the determination of: • bending force (the magnitude of the maximum force at which disintegration and disruption of bone structure occurs), • strength (the amount of maximum force needed to break/crack of bone), • stiffness (quotient of the force acting on the bone and the amount of displacement occurring under the influence of this force). Investigation of changes in physical and biomechanical features of bones during growth was performed on pigs of the synthetic 990 line growing from 15 to 130 kg body weight. The animals were slaughtered successively at a body weight of 15, 30, 40, 50, 70, 90, 110 and 130 kg. After slaughter, the following bones were separated from the right half-carcass: humerus, 3rd and 4th metatarsal bone, femur, tibia and fibula as well as 3rd and 4th metatarsal bone. The features of bones were determined using methods described in the methodology. Describing bone growth with the Gompertz equation, it was found that the earliest slowdown of bone growth curve was observed for metacarpal and metatarsal bones. This means that these bones matured the most quickly. The established data also indicate that the rib is the slowest maturing bone. The femur, humerus, tibia and fibula were between the values of these features for the metatarsal, metacarpal and rib bones. The rate of increase in bone mass and length differed significantly between the examined bones, but in all cases it was lower (coefficient b &lt;1) than the growth rate of the whole body of the animal. The fastest growth rate was estimated for the rib mass (coefficient b = 0.93). Among the long bones, the humerus (coefficient b = 0.81) was characterized by the fastest rate of weight gain, however femur the smallest (coefficient b = 0.71). The lowest rate of bone mass increase was observed in the foot bones, with the metacarpal bones having a slightly higher value of coefficient b than the metatarsal bones (0.67 vs 0.62). The third bone had a lower growth rate than the fourth bone, regardless of whether they were metatarsal or metacarpal. The value of the bending force increased as the animals grew. Regardless of the growth point tested, the highest values were observed for the humerus, tibia and femur, smaller for the metatarsal and metacarpal bone, and the lowest for the fibula and rib. The rate of change in the value of this indicator increased at a similar rate as the body weight changes of the animals in the case of the fibula and the fourth metacarpal bone (b value = 0.98), and more slowly in the case of the metatarsal bone, the third metacarpal bone, and the tibia bone (values of the b ratio 0.81–0.85), and the slowest femur, humerus and rib (value of b = 0.60–0.66). Bone stiffness increased as animals grew. Regardless of the growth point tested, the highest values were observed for the humerus, tibia and femur, smaller for the metatarsal and metacarpal bone, and the lowest for the fibula and rib. Abstract 12 The rate of change in the value of this indicator changed at a faster rate than the increase in weight of pigs in the case of metacarpal and metatarsal bones (coefficient b = 1.01–1.22), slightly slower in the case of fibula (coefficient b = 0.92), definitely slower in the case of the tibia (b = 0.73), ribs (b = 0.66), femur (b = 0.59) and humerus (b = 0.50). Bone strength increased as animals grew. Regardless of the growth point tested, bone strength was as follows femur &gt; tibia &gt; humerus &gt; 4 metacarpal&gt; 3 metacarpal&gt; 3 metatarsal &gt; 4 metatarsal &gt; rib&gt; fibula. The rate of increase in strength of all examined bones was greater than the rate of weight gain of pigs (value of the coefficient b = 2.04–3.26). As the animals grew, the bone density increased. However, the growth rate of this indicator for the majority of bones was slower than the rate of weight gain (the value of the coefficient b ranged from 0.37 – humerus to 0.84 – fibula). The exception was the rib, whose density increased at a similar pace increasing the body weight of animals (value of the coefficient b = 0.97). The study on the influence of the breed and the feeding intensity on bone characteristics (physical and biomechanical) was performed on pigs of the breeds Duroc, Pietrain, and synthetic 990 during a growth period of 15 to 70 kg body weight. Animals were fed ad libitum or dosed system. After slaughter at a body weight of 70 kg, three bones were taken from the right half-carcass: femur, three metatarsal, and three metacarpal and subjected to the determinations described in the methodology. The weight of bones of animals fed aa libitum was significantly lower than in pigs fed restrictively All bones of Duroc breed were significantly heavier and longer than Pietrain and 990 pig bones. The average values of bending force for the examined bones took the following order: III metatarsal bone (63.5 kg) &lt;III metacarpal bone (77.9 kg) &lt;femur (271.5 kg). The feeding system and breed of pigs had no significant effect on the value of this indicator. The average values of the bones strength took the following order: III metatarsal bone (92.6 kg) &lt;III metacarpal (107.2 kg) &lt;femur (353.1 kg). Feeding intensity and breed of animals had no significant effect on the value of this feature of the bones tested. The average bone density took the following order: femur (1.23 g/cm3) &lt;III metatarsal bone (1.26 g/cm3) &lt;III metacarpal bone (1.34 g / cm3). The density of bones of animals fed aa libitum was higher (P&lt;0.01) than in animals fed with a dosing system. The density of examined bones within the breeds took the following order: Pietrain race&gt; line 990&gt; Duroc race. The differences between the “extreme” breeds were: 7.2% (III metatarsal bone), 8.3% (III metacarpal bone), 8.4% (femur). Abstract 13 The average bone stiffness took the following order: III metatarsal bone (35.1 kg/mm) &lt;III metacarpus (41.5 kg/mm) &lt;femur (60.5 kg/mm). This indicator did not differ between the groups of pigs fed at different intensity, except for the metacarpal bone, which was more stiffer in pigs fed aa libitum (P&lt;0.05). The femur of animals fed ad libitum showed a tendency (P&lt;0.09) to be more stiffer and a force of 4.5 kg required for its displacement by 1 mm. Breed differences in stiffness were found for the femur (P &lt;0.05) and III metacarpal bone (P &lt;0.05). For femur, the highest value of this indicator was found in Pietrain pigs (64.5 kg/mm), lower in pigs of 990 line (61.6 kg/mm) and the lowest in Duroc pigs (55.3 kg/mm). In turn, the 3rd metacarpal bone of Duroc and Pietrain pigs had similar stiffness (39.0 and 40.0 kg/mm respectively) and was smaller than that of line 990 pigs (45.4 kg/mm). The thickness of the cortical bone layer took the following order: III metatarsal bone (2.25 mm) &lt;III metacarpal bone (2.41 mm) &lt;femur (5.12 mm). The feeding system did not affect this indicator. Breed differences (P &lt;0.05) for this trait were found only for the femur bone: Duroc (5.42 mm)&gt; line 990 (5.13 mm)&gt; Pietrain (4.81 mm). The cross sectional area of the examined bones was arranged in the following order: III metatarsal bone (84 mm2) &lt;III metacarpal bone (90 mm2) &lt;femur (286 mm2). The feeding system had no effect on the value of this bone trait, with the exception of the femur, which in animals fed the dosing system was 4.7% higher (P&lt;0.05) than in pigs fed ad libitum. Breed differences (P&lt;0.01) in the coross sectional area were found only in femur and III metatarsal bone. The value of this indicator was the highest in Duroc pigs, lower in 990 animals and the lowest in Pietrain pigs. The cortical index of individual bones was in the following order: III metatarsal bone (31.86) &lt;III metacarpal bone (33.86) &lt;femur (44.75). However, its value did not significantly depend on the intensity of feeding or the breed of pigs.