Usefulness of electromagnetic induction type of force transducer and actuator for myofibril mechanics

A high performance device for measuring force and length change during myofibril contraction is fabricated. The principle of a device depends on the law of electromagnetic induction. Homogenized myofibrils were attached between two wires exposed in the uniform magnetic field by silicon adhesive under an inverted microscope. The purpose of this study is to examine performance whether the electromagnetic induction type of device actually works. Sensitivity and time resolution of force transducer was 50nN and 1ms respectively. Working displacement and time resolution of actuator as length transducer was 1-20 μm and 1.2 ms. We confirmed the performance of the device by showing appropriate force response to changes in length during myofibrils contraction, and possibility of application of the device to myofibril mechanics is discussed.