Reversibly Photo-Modulating Mechanical Stiffness and Toughness of Bioengineered Protein Fibers.

ABSTRACT: Light-responsive materials have been extensively studied due to the attractive possibility of manipulating their properties with high spatiotemporal control in a non-invasive fashion. This stimulated the development of a series of photo-deformable smart devices. However, it remained a challenge to reversibly modulate the stiffness and toughness of bulk materials. Here, we present bioengineered protein fibers and their optomechanical manipulation by employing electrostatic interactions between supercharged polypeptides (SUPs) and an azobenzene (Azo)-based surfactant. Photo-isomerization of the Azo moiety from the E- to Z-form reversibly triggered the modulation of tensile strength, stiffness, and toughness of the bulk protein fiber. Specifically, the photo-induced rearrangement into the Z-f

SUBMITTER: Sun J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7898284 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature