A5084434517- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Nonlinear Optical Materials Studies
- Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
- Photonic Crystals and Applications
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
- Photonic and Optical Devices
- Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
- Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies
- Carbohydrate Chemistry and Synthesis
- Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization
- Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles
- Structural Analysis and Optimization
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Interactive and Immersive Displays
- Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Cardiomyopathy and Myosin Studies
University of Florence
2016-2025
Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica
2021-2024
National Institute of Optics
2018-2019
National Research Council
2018-2019
Nello Carrara Institute of Applied Physics
2018
European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility
2016-2017
Universidad de Granada
2013
The first microscopic artificial walker equipped with liquid-crystalline elastomer muscle is reported. fabricated by direct laser writing, smaller than any known living terrestrial creatures, and capable of several autonomous locomotions on different surfaces. Nature provides a valuable source inspiration for many fields research. From optical effects to engineering problems, organisms have often adapted elaborate solutions strategies, being the result years natural selection.1, 2 Within...
The paper describes 3D structures made of liquid-crystalline elastomer (LCE) – rings, woodpiles, etc. fabricated by two-photon absorption direct laser writing with sub-micrometer resolution while maintaining the desired molecular orientation. These results lay foundations for creating 3D, micrometer-sized, light-controlled LCE structures. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied authors. Such materials are peer reviewed may be...
Abstract Photonic actuators, serving as an emerging kind of intelligent stimuli‐responsive material, can exhibit the abilities to change their structural colors/fluorescence and shapes under specific external stimuli, which have demonstrated essential applications in fields soft robotics, sensors, bionics, information storage, anti‐counterfeiting, energy harvesting. In this review, we reported state‐of‐the‐art research progress photonic actuators classified on basis material type focusing...
Magnetic hyperthermia is an oncological therapy that exploits magnetic nanoparticles activated by radiofrequency fields to produce a controlled temperature increase in diseased tissue. The specific loss power (SLP) of or the capability release heat can be improved using surface treatments, which reduce agglomeration effects, thus impacting on local magnetostatic interactions. In this work, Fe3O4 are synthesized via coprecipitation reaction and fully characterized terms structural,...
Grabbing and holding objects at the microscale is a complex function, even for microscopic living animals. Inspired by hominid-type hand, equivalent able to catch microelements engineered. This microhand light sensitive can be either remotely controlled optical illumination or act autonomously grab small particles on basis of their properties. Since energy delivered optically, without need wires batteries, artificial hand shrunk down micrometer scale. Soft material used, in particular,...
Abstract The miniaturization of robots and actuators down to the micrometer length scale constitutes a fascinating technological challenge. Their development faces fabrication issues due small dimensions their design must take into account how physics laws behave on those scales. Last but not least, major issue is energy delivery management. In this scenario, light emerges as versatile tool for and, even more importantly, an source. Optically driven micromachines—in which optical stimuli can...
Worldwide research in microrobotics has exploded the past two decades, leading to development of microrobots propelled various manners. Despite significant advances field and successful demonstration a wide range applications, have yet become preferred choice outside laboratory environment. After introducing available microrobotic propulsion control mechanisms, that are manufactured powered by light focused herein. Referring pioneering works recent interesting examples, is presented not only...
We report a method to fabricate polymer microstructures with local control over the molecular orientation. Alignment is achieved on level in structure of arbitrary form that can be from 1 100 μm size, by fixing boundary conditions micro-grating patterns. The makes use two-photon polymerization (Direct Laser Writing) and demonstrated specifically liquid-crystalline elastomers. This concept allows for realization free-form polymeric structures multiple functionalities which are not possible...
Quantum technologies could largely benefit from the control of quantum emitters in sub-micrometric size crystals. These are naturally prone to integration hybrid devices, including heterostructures and complex photonic devices. Currently available nanocrystals suffer spectral instability, preventing their use as single-photon sources for most optics operations. In this work we report on performances emission organic (average hundreds nm), made anthracene (Ac) doped with dibenzoterrylene...
Abstract Traditional robots are machines programmed to accomplish tasks, thanks a complex ensemble of sensors connected computer “brain” which elaborate signals drive specific actions. This network suffers from limitations—the need for central computer, instance, poses limit device miniaturization and requires large amount energy. A promising development, made possible by recent advances in material science, endeavors new generation soft that multifunctional, compliant, autonomous ways...
Polymeric matrices offer a wide and powerful platform for integrated photonics, complementary to the well-established silicon photonics technology. The possibility integrate, on same chip, different customized materials allows many functionalities, like ability dynamically control spectral properties of single optical components. Within this context, Article reports fabrication characterization photonic circuits telecom C-band, made combination both rigid tunable elastic polymers. By using...
Rationale: Despite major advances in cardiovascular medicine, heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. However, the field tissue engineering has been growing exponentially last decade and restoring functionality is now an affordable target; yet, new materials are still needed for effectively provide rapid long-lasting interventions. Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) biocompatible polymers able to reversibly change shape response given stimulus generate movement. Once...
Abstract Photonic crystals owe their multitude of optical properties to the way structure creates interference effects. It is therefore possible influence photonic response by acting on physical structure. In this article, tunable made elastic polymers that respond environment are explored, in particular with a deformation under temperature variation. This feedback process which depends its structure, itself influenced environmental changes. By using multi‐photon polymerization specifically...
Abstract The communication reports the use of liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) for engineering tissue cultures with human cells. Their ability as cell scaffolds different lines is demonstrated. Preliminary assessments material biocompatibility are performed on dermal fibroblasts and murine muscle cells (C2C12), demonstrating that coatings or other treatments not needed to acrylate‐based materials support. Moreover, it found adherent C2C12 undergo differentiation, forming multinucleated...
The cross-linking density controls light induced deformation dynamics in liquid crystalline networks. A double stripe system featuring different crosslinking densities affords non reciprocal and asymmetric millisecond movements at the microscale.
Materials of which the optical response is determined by their structure are much interest both for fundamental properties and applications. Examples range from simple gratings to photonic crystals. Obtaining control over crucial importance in this context, it often attempted electro-optical effect or using magnetic fields. In paper, we introduce use light switch tune a structured material, exploiting physical deformation induced itself. new strategy, drives an elastic reshaping, leads...
Abstract Polymer photonics explores manufacturing of polymeric materials in order to create devices for light manipulation at the nanoscale. Available lithographic techniques give access a truly 3D shaping, which can replicate computer‐aided designs by several methods. Among them, direct laser writing enables nanoscale precision fabrication. This platform allows integration advanced reconfigurable elements, whose shape and refractive index be precisely controlled external stimuli. Progress...
The problem of utilizing a laser beam as an information vehicle and dividing it into different channels is open in the telecommunication field. switching signal ports has been demonstrated, to date, by employing complex devices mechanisms such electro optic effect, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors, or liquid crystal-based spatial light modulators (SLMs). We present here simple device, namely mirror held crystal elastomer (LCE) fibre, optically remotely driven steerer. In fact,...
The ability to control cell alignment represents a fundamental requirement toward the production of tissue in vitro but also create biohybrid materials presenting functional properties human organs. However, cultures on standard commercial supports do not provide selective organization morphology, and different techniques, such as use patterned or stimulated substrates, are developed induce cellular alignment. In this work, new approach muscular morphogenesis is presented exploiting liquid...
An increasing interest in tunable photonic structures is growing within the community. The usage of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer (LCE) micro-scale has been motivated by potential to remotely control their properties. In order design elastic with a three-dimensional lithographic technique, an analysis different mixtures used micro-printing process required. Previously reported LCE microstructures suffer damage and strong swelling as limiting factor resolution. this article, we detailed study...
Light represents a very versatile stimulus and its use to control the deformation in shape-changing polymers can take advantage of multiple parameters (such as wavelength, intensity polarization) be explored order obtain differentiated responses. Polymers with selected color responsiveness are commonly prepared by using different dyes, while polarization-dependent introduced exploiting trans-cis isomerization azobenzenes. As driven photothermal effect gaining more attention many application...
Cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) are the most promising source with preserved genetic background of healthy individuals or patients. This study aimed to establish a systematic procedure for exploring development hiPSC-CM functional output predict cardiomyopathy outcomes and identify molecular targets therapy. Biomimetic substrates microtopography physiological stiffness can overcome immaturity function. We have developed custom-made apparatus simultaneous...
The detection of magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid medium and the quantification their concentration have potential to improve efficiency several relevant applications different fields, including medicine, environmental remediation, mechanical engineering. To this end, sensors based on magneto-impedance effect attracted much attention due high sensitivity stray field generated by nanoparticles, simple fabrication process, relatively low cost. these sensors, multidisciplinary approach is...