Novel nano-composite biomaterials that respond to light.
Composites of nanoparticles and polymers are finding wide applications to alter material properties, conductivity, and utility. Here, we show that nano-composites can be designed to heat in the presence of near infrared light. This process is useful in transitioning materials through a transition temperature for a range of applications. For example, shape-memory materials (including polymers, metals, and ceramics) are those that are processed into a temporary shape and respond to some external stimuli (e.g., temperature) to undergo a transition back to a permanent shape and may be useful in a range of applications from aerospace to fabrics, to biomedical devices and microsystem components. In this work, we formulated composites of gold nanorods (<1% by volume) and biodegradable networks, where exposure to infrared light induced heating and consequently, shape transitions. The heating is repeatable and tunable based on nanorod concentration and light intensity.
Hribar
Kolin C
KC
Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA.
Metter
Robert B
RB
Burdick
Jason A
JA
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000042:Absorption; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005898:Glass; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers