Optically Responsive, Smart Anti-Bacterial Coatings via the Photofluidization of Azobenzenes

Antibacterial strategies sans antibiotic drugs have recently garnered much interest as a mechanism by which to inhibit biofilm formation and growth on surfaces due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Based on the photofluidization of azobenzenes, we demonstrate for the first time the ability achieve up to a 4 log reduction in bacterial biofilms by opto-mechanically activating the disruption and dispersion of biofilms. This unique strategy with which to enable biofilm removal offers a novel paradigm with which to combat antibiotic resistance.