Independent Optical Control of Microfluidic Valves Formed from Optomechanically Responsive Nanocomposite Hydrogels

Independent optical control of microfluidic valves formed from optomechanically responsive nanocomposite hydrogels is achieved using strongly absorbing Au nanoparticles or nanoshells embedded within a thermally responsive polymer. Valves formed from composites with different nanoparticles could be independently controlled by changing the illumination wavelength.