Uncertainty of the Diffusion Measurements on Scaffolds for Cell Growth

Abstract

The regenerative medicine uses gel and porous solid matrices as scaffolds for the growth of the stem cells in 3D structures. The structural and fluid dynamic properties of the matrices have been recognized to highly affect the behaviour and functions of the cells. The procedures of production and the clinical use of the matrices need a reliable and reproducible characterization of their properties, this means that the concepts of metrology must be applied to the measurement and definition of all the relevant properties. This paper deals with the calculation of uncertainty for diffusivity measurement in solids and the role of uncertainty in designing the measurement. Diffusion of a solute in spherical solid particles dispersed in a limited liquid volume where considered as measurement method for a Ca-alginate polymer. The model sensitivity to the concentration measurements, the model parameters and the fitting procedures have been discussed.