Title: Photoresponsive surfaces

Author(s): Abbott, S.J., J. Ralston, G. D. Reynolds, R. A. Hayes

Entity: University of South Australia

Patent Number: US 6800370. Published: Oct. 05, 2004.

Abstract:
The invention relates to an article having a photoresponsive surface, said article comprising a substrate having photoionisable moieties capable of undergoing dimerization attached to at least a portion of a surface thereof, the proximity of said moieties to one another being such that irradiation with light of an appropriate wavelength results in dimerization of at least a portion of said moieties thereby altering the wettability of the surface. Methods of preparing a substrate having a photoresistive surface and methods for altering the wettability of a surface of a substrate are also included.