Photothermally Activated Hybrid Films for Quantitative Confined Release of Chemical Species

We present a new method for releasing functional molecules to living cells and tissues in a dose- and spatio-controlled manner. The release effect rests on a cascade process, which is triggered by remote light stimulation of a nanocomposite film comprising an optical absorber and a thermosensitive reservoir in a polymeric porous frame. This method may generate a variety of different opportunities, such as the confined staining of cell cultures, highly controlled and localized pharmacological therapies, as well as the development of innovative and minimally invasive health care and aesthetic treatments.