1. University of Pennsylvania Department of Bioengineering Aims/Objective & Hypothesis: Bone Decalcification and Fracture Strength GW4B The objective of this lab is to understand how density affects the fracture strength of materials. The central hypothesis is that bones which undergo decalcification will have a statistically significant lower fracture strength when compared to bones with no mineral loss. An extrapolation of this lab is to understand osteoporosis and its adverse effects by simulating similar bone deterioration.

2. University of Pennsylvania Department of Bioengineering Methods, Protocol & Equipment: Remove meat from bones. Find the density of all bones by weighing them and using volume displacement. Randomly select half of the bones (n = 10), place into a small bin and cover them completely with RapidCal Immuno. Leave for half hour. Using Bio Pac software and the pendulum apparatus, find fracture strengths of the original wood surrogates and the modified wood surrogates. Find the fracture strength of the control (unmodified) group of bones, record geometry of break point. Remove bones from RapidCal, and recalculate density. Calculate percent of density lost for each bone. Find fracture strength of decalcified bones, record geometry of break point. Compare fracture strength of the two sample groups of wood surrogates. Compare fracture strength of the two sample groups of bone.

3. University of Pennsylvania Department of Bioengineering Proposed Results/Findings/Deliverables: Potential Pitfalls: Using a two-tailed T-test, p<0.05 for fracture strength of modified wood surrogates versus control. Using a two-tailed T-test p>0.05 for fracture strength of decalcified bones versus control. Variation in bone composition between each specimen Geometry and density differences T-test b/T density of two sets prior to processes, p<0.05 Consistent decalcification process: percent density loss Graph energy lost with respect to % of density lost % bone loss Energy Lost (J) Chicken Bone Fracture Strength

4. University of Pennsylvania Department of Bioengineering Materials and Budget & Justification: ItemQuantityCostSupplier Farm Fresh Chicken Legs ($1.19/lb) 20 lbs (roughly 24 legs) $23.80Fresh Grocer Lou's Services1$50.00 Penn Engineering Department Wood Surrogates 3/8" x 4" 100$1.25 American Woodcrafters Supply Co. RapidCal Immuno5 Liters$79.00BBC Biochemical Necessary materials provided by bioengineering lab: Impact pendulum apparatus, PC and Bio Pac software, electronic balance, spring balance, calipers, knives and cutting board, dissecting pin, 1-L graduated cylinder, metal rod, paper towels, water, plastic tub, and DC power supply $154.05TOTAL COST