This is a fundamental engineering research project that intends to utilize the electro-mechanical signal, which can be derived from living cartilage, to form the basis of a diagnostic tool which can quantitate the degradation of living cartilage. Quantitative information of such a nature has the potential to be used to determine the vitality and character of living tissue. This proposal is obviously aimed towards an emerging engineering technology, and is definitely a "High Risk-High Gain" research proposal. This research will determine whether it is possible to use the mechanical-electro- kinetic effect obtained from the living cartilage to produce the necessary mechanical strain required for making the measurements.
