An outlook review: Mechanochromic materials and their potential for biological and healthcare applications

• Origins of mechanochromism (MC) in materials are classified and explained.
• MC substrates could respond optically to adhesion of bioanalytes.
• Healthcare products use MC materials as pressure indicators.
• For mechanobiology, improved sensitivity and specific responses would be needed.

Macroscopic mechanical perturbations have been observed to result in optical changes for certain compounds and composite materials. This phenomenon could originate from chemical and physical changes across various length scales, from the rearrangement of chemical bonds to alteration of molecular domains on the order of several hundred nanometers. This review classifies the mechanisms and surveys of how each class of mechanochromic materials has been, and can potentially be applied in biological and healthcare innovations. The study of cellular and molecular responses to mechanical forces in biological systems is an emerging field; there is potential in applying mechanochromic principles and material systems for probing biological systems. On the other hand, application of mechanochromic materials for medical and healthcare consumer products has been described in a wide variety of concepts and inventions. It is hopeful that further understanding of mechanochromism and material innovations would initiate concrete, impactful studies in biological systems soon.

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