YesLiquid crystal is a new emerging biomaterial. The physical property of liquid crystal plays a role in supporting the
adhesion of cells. Nano and microball indentation techniques were applied to determine the elastic modulus or
viscoelasticity of the cholesteryl ester liquid crystals in the culture media. Nano-indentation results (108 ± 19.78 kPa, N =
20) agreed well with the microball indentation (110 ± 19.95 kPa, N = 60) for the liquid crystal samples incubated for 24
hours at 37o
C, respectively. However, nanoindentation could not measure the modulus of the liquid crystal (LC) incubated
more than 24 hours. This is due to the decreased viscosity of the liquid crystal after immersion in the cell culture media for
more than 24 hours. Alternatively, microball indentation was used and the elastic modulus of the LC immersed for 48
hours was found to decrease to 55 ± 9.99 kPa (N = 60). The microball indentation indicated that the LC did not creep after
40 seconds of indentation. However, the elastic modulus of the LC was no longer measurable after 72 hours of incubation
due to the lost of elasticity. Microball indentation seemed to be a reliable technique in determining the elastic moduli of the
cholesteryl ester liquid crystals.Science Fund Vot. No. S024 or Project No. 02- 01-13-SF0104 and FRGS Vot. No. 1482 awarded by Malaysia Ministry of Educatio
