Enzyme-programmable microgel lasers for information encoding and anti-counterfeiting

• Main Authors: Gong, Xuerui, Qiao, Zhen, Liao, Yikai, Zhu, Song, Shi, Lei, Kim, Munho, Chen, Yu-Cheng
• Other Authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering; Anti-Counterfeiting; Biolasers
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/162052
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Microscale laser emissions have emerged as a promising approach for information encoding and anti-counterfeiting for their feature-rich spectra and high sensitivity to the surrounding environment. Compared with artificial materials, natural responsive biomaterials enable a higher level of complexity and versatile ways for tailoring optical responses. However, precise control of lasing wavelengths and spatial locations with biomolecules remains a huge challenge. Here, a biologically programmable laser, in which the lasing can be manipulated by biomolecular activities at the nanoscale, is developed. Tunable lasing wavelengths are achieved by exploiting the swelling properties of enzyme-responsive hydrogel droplets in a Fabry-Pérot microcavity. Both experimental and theoretical means demonstrate that inner 3D network structures and external curvature of the hydrogel droplets lead to different lasing thresholds and resonance wavelengths. Finally, inkjet-printed multiwavelength laser encoding and anti-counterfeiting are showcased under different scalabilities and environments. Hyperspectral laser images are utilized as an advanced feature for a higher level of security. The biologically encoded laser will provide a new insight into the development of biosynthetic and bioprogrammable laser devices, offering new opportunities for secure communication and smart sensing.