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Near-Infrared Light-Driven Microgrooved UCNPs/Azobenzene-LCE Actuators and Substrates for Cardiomyoblast Alignment.

Chun Li1, Zhenjia Huang1, Tongqing Li1

  • 1Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Centre, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 4, 2026
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a new near-infrared (NIR) light-activated liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator using upconversion nanoparticles. This biocompatible actuator enables precise cell guidance and mechanical control without harmful UV light.

Keywords:
azobenzene photoisomerizationcell alignmentliquid crystal elastomermicrogroove topographynear-infrared actuationupconversion nanoparticles

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators offer precise control but are limited by ultraviolet (UV) phototoxicity and poor tissue penetration.
  • Existing photoisomerization actuators require UV light, hindering their use in biomedical applications.
  • A need exists for biocompatible actuators that can be controlled with light that penetrates tissues effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a near-infrared (NIR) light-driven photoisomerization actuator based on azobenzene-cross-linked LCEs (Azo-LCEs) integrated with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs).
  • To investigate the actuation performance and thermal behavior of the UCNPs/Azo-LCE system under 808 nm NIR irradiation.
  • To evaluate the potential of the developed actuator for cell adhesion, spreading, and guided alignment in a biological context.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of NaYF4:Yb/Tm@NaYF4:Yb/Nd@NaYF4 core-shell-shell upconversion nanoparticles (CSS-UCNPs) into Azo-LCE films.
  • Irradiation of UCNPs/Azo-LCE films with 808 nm continuous-wave NIR light at varying power densities (4-24 W cm⁻²).
  • Characterization of bending angles, cyclic actuation stability, temperature rise in culture medium, and cell behavior on microgroove-patterned substrates.

Main Results:

  • The Nd³⁺-sensitized CSS-UCNPs successfully converted 808 nm NIR light into UV/blue emissions, driving azobenzene photoisomerization and inducing macroscopic bending of LCE films.
  • Maximum bending angle of 42.8 ± 2.6° was achieved at 24 W cm⁻², with stable cyclic actuation over 50 cycles at 16 W cm⁻².
  • Limited temperature rise (ΔT = 2.29–4.36 °C) was observed in culture medium under 4–8 W cm⁻² irradiation, with no cumulative heating during cyclic operation.
  • Microgroove-patterned UCNPs/Azo-LCE substrates promoted rat cardiomyoblast cell (H9c2) adhesion, spreading, and uniaxial alignment dependent on groove width.

Conclusions:

  • An 808 nm NIR light-actuated photoisomerization LCE system was successfully established using CSS-UCNPs.
  • The developed UCNPs/Azo-LCEs show potential as a biocompatible, NIR-addressable soft actuator platform for dynamic cell guidance.
  • The system operates with a modest thermal burden, making it suitable for biological applications requiring precise spatiotemporal control.