Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

A new generation of an FFP2 (Filtering Face Piece of type 2) smart face mask is achieved by integrating broadband hybrid nanomaterials and a self-assembled optical metasurface. The multifunctional FFP2 face mask shows simultaneously white light-assisted on-demand disinfection properties and versatile biosensing capabilities. These properties are achieved by a powerful combination of white light thermoplasmonic responsive hybrid nanomaterials, which provide excellent photo-thermal disinfection properties, and optical metasurface-based colorimetric biosensors, with a very low limit of pathogens detection. The realized system is studied in optical, morphological, spectroscopic, and cell viability assay experiments and environmental monitoring of harmful pathogens, thus highlighting the extraordinary properties in reusability and pathogens detection of the innovative face mask.

One of the most fascinating areas in the field of smart biopolymers is biomolecule sensing. Accordingly, multifunctional biomimetic, biocompatible, and stimuli-responsive materials based on hydrogels have attracted much interest. Within this framework, the design of nanostructured materials that do not require any external energy source is beneficial for developing a platform for sensing glucose in body fluids. In this article, we report the realization and application of an innovative platform consisting of two outer layers of a nanocomposite plasmonic hydrogel plus one inner layer of electrospun mat fabricated by electrospinning, where the outer layers exploit photoinitiated free radical polymerization, obtaining a compact and stable device. Inspired by the exceptional features of chameleon skin, plasmonic silver nanocubes are embedded into a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based hydrogel network to obtain enhanced thermoresponsive and antibacterial properties. The introduction of an electrospun mat creates a compatible environment for the homogeneous hydrogel coating while imparting excellent mechanical and structural properties to the final system. Chemical, morphological, and optical characterizations were performed to investigate the structure of the layers and the multifunctional platform. The synergetic effect of the nanostructured system’s photothermal responsivity and antibacterial properties was evaluated. The sensing features associated with the optical properties of silver nanocubes revealed that the proposed multifunctional system is a promising candidate for glucose-sensing applications.

Multifunctional nanomaterials with the ability torespond to near-infrared (NIR) light stimulation are vital for thedevelopment of highly efficient biomedical nanoplatforms with apolytherapeutic approach. Inspired by the mesoglea structure ofjellyfish bells, a biomimetic multifunctional nanostructured pillowwith fast photothermal responsiveness for NIR light-controlled on-demand drug delivery is developed. We fabricate a nanoplatformwith several hierarchical levels designed to generate a series ofcontrolled, rapid, and reversible cascade-like structural changesupon NIR light irradiation. The mechanical contraction of thenanostructured platform, resulting from the increase of temper-ature to 42°C due to plasmonic hydrogel−light interaction, causesa rapid expulsion of water from the inner structure, passing through an electrospun membrane anchored onto the hydrogel core. Themutual effects of the rise in temperature and waterflow stimulate the release of molecules from the nanofibers. To expand thepotential applications of the biomimetic platform, the photothermal responsiveness to reach the typical temperature level forperforming photothermal therapy (PTT) is designed. The on-demand drug model penetration into pig tissue demonstrates theefficiency of the nanostructured platform in the rapid and controlled release of molecules, while the high biocompatibility confirmsthe pillow potential for biomedical applications based on the NIR light-driven multitherapy strategy.

bioinspired materials, NIR-light responsive nanomaterials, multifunctional platforms, electrospun nanofibers, plasmonic hydrogel, photothermal-based polytherapy, on-demand drug delivery