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Bio‐inspired and biodegradable quantum optics scenarios constitute a pathway toward environmentally friendly front‐end technologies. Such an inspiring perspective necessitates the replacement of classic gain materials with a biological counterpart like photoluminescent bacteria. It is easy to imagine that, in this case, a planar and cell‐viable substitute of classic bulk solid‐states resonators can be highly beneficial. In this paper a micro‐ and nano‐photonic structuration of both a standard and a functionalized version of a typical bacterial growth medium (Luria‐Bertani Agar – LBA) is successfully realized. Three structures belonging to the categories of photonic crystals are replicated, such as quasi‐crystals and meta‐surfaces, demonstrating how the proposed media can be used as templates for high‐end photonic applications. The optical quality of the replicated structures is confirmed by far‐field diffraction measurements. The structured growth media allow for a broad control of the surface wettability by accessing a so‐called Wenzel state, in which the original hydrophilicity of a material is increased due to the photonic structuration. Finally, the suitability of the nano‐structured LBA as a plasmonic platform is evidenced. The proposed micro‐and nano‐structured photonic growth media constitute the first, fundamental step toward quantum optical frameworks from biological media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipole–Dipole interactions (DDI) constitute an effective mechanism by which two physical entities can interact with each other. DDI processes can occur in a resonance framework if the energies of the two dipoles are very close. In this case, an energy transfer can occur without the need to emit a photon, taking the name of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Given their large dependence on the distance and orientation between the two dipoles, as well as on the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, DDIs are exceptional for sensing applications. There are two main ways to carry out FRET-based sensing: (i) enhancing or (ii) inhibiting it. Interaction with resonant environments such as plasmonic, optical cavities, and/or metamaterials promotes the former while acting on the distance between the FRET molecules favors the latter. In this review, we browse both the two ways, pointing the spotlight to the intrinsic interdisciplinarity these two sensing routes imply. We showcase FRET-based sensing mechanisms in a variety of contexts, from pH sensors to molecular structure measurements on a nano-metrical scale, with a particular accent on the central and still mostly overlooked role played between a nano-photonically structured environment and photoluminescent molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic metallic nanoparticles (NPs) represent a relevant class of nanomaterials, which is able to achieve light localization down to nanoscale by exploiting a phenomenon called Localized Plasmon Resonance. In the last few years, NPs have been proposed to trigger DNA release or enhance ablation of diseased tissues, while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. In view of the therapeutic relevance of such plasmonic NPs; a detailed characterization of the electrostatic interaction between positively charged gold nanorods (GNRs) and a negatively charged whole-genome DNA solution is reported. The preparation of the hybrid biosystem has been investigated as a function of DNA concentration by means of ζ-potential; hydrodynamic diameter and gel electrophoresis analysis. The results have pointed out the specific conditions to achieve the most promising GNRs/DNA complex and its photo-thermal properties have been investigated. The overall study allows to envisage the possibility to ingeniously combine plasmonic and biological materials and, thus, enable design and development of an original non invasive all-optical methodology for monitoring photo-induced temperature variation with high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an electro-responsive and pressure sensitive device based on conductive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) combined with a short pitch Cholesteric Liquid Crystal (CLC). Ion-implantation and surface chemistry in PDMS enable both the induction of conducting properties in this elastomer as well as long range organization of the CLC. Sample electro-optical and pressure dependent optical properties are explored by applying a modulated electric field through the conducting PDMS and a uniform pressure on the top cover substrate. We show that both an electric field of a few V μm−1 and an external pressure of up to 128 kPa can tune the reflection band by about 100 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bio-photonic cavity quantum electrodynamic (C-QED) framework could be imagined as a system in which both the "cavity" and the "atom" participating in the light-matter interaction scenario are bio-inspired. Can a cavity be made of a bio-polymer? If so, how should such a cavity appear and what are the best polymers to fabricate it? Can a bioluminescent material stand the comparison with new-fashion semiconductors? In this review we answer these fundamental questions to pave the way toward an eco-friendly paradigm, in which the ever-increasing demand for more performing quantum photonics technologies meets the ever-increasing yet silent demand of our planet to reduce our environmental footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic photo-thermal therapy (PPTT) is a minimally invasive, drug-free, therapy based on the properties of noble metal nanoparticles, able to convert a bio-transparent electromagnetic radiation into heat. PPTT has been used against cancer and other diseases. Herein, we demonstrate an antimicrobial methodology based on the properties of gold nanorods (GNRs). Under a resonant laser irradiation GNRs become highly efficient light to heat nano-converters extremely useful for PPTT applications. The concept here is to assess the antimicrobial effect of easy to synthesize, suitably purified, water-dispersible GNRs on Escherichia coli bacteria. A control on the GNRs concentration used for the process has been demonstrated critical in order to rule out cytotoxic effects on the cells, and still to be able to generate, under a near infrared illumination, an adequate amount of heat suited to increase the temperature up to ≈50 °C in about 5 min. Viability experiments evidenced that the proposed system accomplished a killing efficiency suitable to reducing the Escherichia coli population of about 2 log CFU (colony-forming unit). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance refers to when microorganisms survive and grow in the presence of specific antibiotics, a phenomenon mainly related to the indiscriminate widespread use and abuse of antibiotics. In this framework, thanks to the design and fabrication of original functional nanomaterials, nanotechnology offers a powerful weapon against several diseases such as cancer and pathogenic illness. Smart nanomaterials, such as metallic nanoparticles and semiconductor nanocrystals, enable the realization of novel drug-free medical therapies for fighting against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the light of the latest developments, we highlight the outstanding capabilities of several nanotechnology-inspired approaches to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Chemically functionalized silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been employed for their intrinsic toxicity, which enables them to exhibit an antimicrobial activity while, in a different approach, photo-thermal properties of metallic nanoparticles have been theoretically studied and experimentally tested against several temperature sensitive (mesophilic) bacteria. We also show that it is possible to combine a highly localized targeting with a plasmonic-based heating therapy by properly functionalizing nanoparticle surfaces with covalently linked antibodies. As a perspective, the utilization of properly engineered and chemically functionalized nanomaterials opens a new roads for realizing antibiotic free treatments against pathogens and related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional colloidal micro and nano-particles with controlled architectures have very promising properties for applications in bio and nanotechnologies. Here we report on the unique dichotomous dynamical behaviour of chiral spherical microparticles, either fluid or solid, manipulated by polarized optical tweezers. The particles are created using a reactive mesogen mixed with a chiral dopant to form cholesteric liquid crystal droplets in water emulsion. The photopolymerization enables the chiral supramolecular configurations to be frozen in solid particles. Different internal architectures in the supramolecular structures, guided by the interfacial chemistry, enable optically isotropic or anisotropic spherical objects to be obtained. For particles having radial configuration of the cholesteric helices, we show that light can exert either a repulsive or attractive force depending on the handedness of its circular polarization, due to the unique selective reflection property of the cholesteric phase. On the other hand, very exotic dynamics is observed in the case of anisotropic chiral particles. Depending on the light handedness, they behave like Janus spherical particles with dissimilar optical properties, meaning that the surface of the dielectric particles is partly transparent and partly reflecting. We foresee interesting potential applications in micro and optofluidics, microphotonics and materials science.

We report an optical switch based on a diffraction grating by combining PDMS microstructures with a photo-responsive Nematic Liquid Crystal (NLC). The grating was realized via replica molding and was subsequently coated with a thin SiO layer. SiO induced a full planar alignment of the liquid crystal. The induced parallel alignment of the LC reduces the response time of the structure by approximately an order of magnitude compared to the same structures without SiO. We explored the effect of the pump intensity on the transmission properties and time response of the switch and identified a strong dependence on the probe polarization, due to the full planar alignment in this structure. The aforementioned inclusion of the SiO layer enables enhanced performance of optical devices based on the fusion of nematogens with soft and flexible substrates.