Photo-induced structural modification of silk gels containing azobenzene side groups

Soft Matter. 2017 Apr 19;13(16):2903-2906. doi: 10.1039/c7sm00446j.

Abstract

Azobenzene modification of Bombyx mori silkworm silk creates a photo-responsive 'azosilk' biomaterial, allowing for 3D laser patterning. Written regions fluoresce, and become fluid-filled raised 'micro-blisters' with a 10-fold photo-softening effect of the modulus. Patterning is facile and versatile, with potential applications as soft tunable materials for dynamic cell guidance and microfluidics.