Effect of elastic modulus of tumour and non-tumour cells on vibration-induced behaviours

Abstract

The mechanical behaviour of tumour and non-tumour cells under vibration remains insufficiently explored, particularly the role of elastic modulus in dynamic responses. This study investigates the vibration-induced mechanical behaviour in cellular structures with varying elastic moduli (E = 0.1 , 1 , and 10 kPa) and aspect ratios ([Formula: see text] and 4), focusing on vertical and horizontal forced vibrations. Finite element analysis was conducted to evaluate the natural frequencies, mode shapes, membrane accelerations, and stress responses. The intermediate aspect-ratio structures ([Formula: see text]) exhibited higher natural frequencies but a 64.2% increase in stress concentration, making them more susceptible to localised deformation under resonance. Conversely, higher aspect-ratio structures ([Formula: see text]) demonstrated improved vibrational stability with reduced resonance peaks and 64.6% lower localised stress. This study further confirmed that vertical vibrations generate higher stress and acceleration than horizontal vibrations owing to gravitational effects. Stress contour analysis indicated that under low-intensity vibrations, intermediate aspect-ratio structures may exceed their yield stress thresholds, leading to potential membrane rupture. These findings suggest that vibration-induced mechanical stimulation can be sensed differently depending on the elastic moduli and aspect ratios of tumour and non-tumour cells.