A Nanoindentation Device and the Scale-Dependent Mechanical Properties of Native and Decellularized Liver Tissue By Douglas W. Evans A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of VIRGINIA TECH – WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & SCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Biomedical Engineering December 2011 Winston-Salem, North Carolina Approved by: Jessica L. Sparks, PhD, Advisor, Chair Examining Committee: Keith Bonin, PhD Joel D. Stitzel, PhD