Bead Buddy is a Phython based graphical user interface to segment spherical objects from 3D images, and apply the solution of the eleasticity problem in a spherical harmonics developped based function. If the mechanical properties of the object are known, the surface stresses actin on the bead are calculated from an analytical solution. This allows to provide the surfaces stresses in a length scale dependent way. Bead Buddy alsu uses the GPU and allows calculating the resulting stresses up to Spherical harmonics degree 10.
The software can be downloaded here, and is described and discussed in:
Jurado A, Isensee J, Hofemeier A, Krüger LJ, Wittkowski R, Golestanian R, Bittihn P, Betz T (2025) 3D dynamic multiscale force and shape analysis of in-vivo elastic stress sensors.