by Keyword: Cawo4 upconverter crystals
Magalhaes, Evellyn Santos, Ojha, Nirajan, Ghanavati, Sonya, Opar, Ekin, Smet, Philippe F, Lastusaari, Mika, Riefolo, Fabio, Matera, Carlo, Massera, Jonathan, Gorostiza, Pau, Petit, Laeticia, (2026). 3D printed glass-based biophotonic scaffolds for in situ activation of photoswitchable drugs Journal Of The European Ceramic Society 46, 117777 
The fabrication of porous biophotonic scaffold using a robocasting is reported here. Such material could be used for in-situ activation of photoswitchable drugs, which is essential for improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. The scaffold is made of a phosphate glass mixed with CaWO4:Yb3 +,Tm3 + crystals and SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3 + phosphors. Upon 980 nm irradiation, the scaffold emits blue light and green afterglow, enabling in-situ activation post-implantation as NIR light penetrates tissue. The challenges related to the sintering process and its effect on the spectroscopic properties of the scaffold are discussed. The as-3D printed scaffold successfully enables one to activate the muscarinic photoswitchable drug Phthal Azobenzene Iperoxo (PAI) upon NIR excitation, confirming the potential for in-situ phototriggered delivery of drug action using tissue-permeable light stimulus.
JTD Keywords: Artificial skin, Bioactive glass, Cawo4 upconverter crystals, Design, Er3+, Nanocrystals, Persistent luminescence, Photoswitchable molecule, Scaffold, Surface, Up-conversion
