Rate of Swelling of Collagen

Abstract

The osmotic pressure gradient across the collagen solid matrix-solution interface forces the solid to imbibe fluid and thereby increases its volume. Concurrently, the decrease in entropy of the solid matrix produces a force which tends to resist any further increase in volume. The instantaneous velocity at which the swelling takes place is related to the difference between the osmotic and entropic forces. Finally, an explicit relationship is obtained between volume and time.