0.4
 -L
 0.3

 0.2

 0.1

 0.0
 5 10 20 Smooth
 -0.1

 Ridge Width (um)
 -- 1.5 um deep Plasma -- 1.5 um deep FN 5 um deep Plasma
 5 um deep FN -- 1.5 um deep Untreated


Figure 4.7 Comparison of surface treatments on textured unmodified silicone elastomer
by ridge width and groove depth (error bars represent standard error of mean)



comparison of the two methods may not be appropriate due to material differences. The

untreated samples show a high degree of alignment at all texture settings. Cell

attachment and proliferation on these surfaces was significantly lower than on the treated

surfaces, but those cells that were attached were aligned at all levels of texture. The

morphology of these cells was highly elongated (compare Figure 4.8 and Figure 4.9) as

the cells attempted spread and stabilize. The fact that almost all of the cells showed a

high degree of alignment on the untreated surface suggests that when they come into

contact with a surface with less than ideal adhesion capability, the presence of surface

texture plays an increasingly important role.