We constructed a novel cancer theranostic hybrid platform, based on mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods (AuNR@MSN) gated by sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC[4]A) switches, for bio-friendly near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered cargo release in a remote and stepwise fashion. The advantages of supramolecular switches, mesoporous silicas, and AuNRs were combined in one drug delivery system. Mesoporous silicas coated on AuNRs guarantee a high drug payload and can be easily post-functionalized.Significantly, the plasmonic heating from the NIR light-stimulated AuNR cores can decrease the ringstalk binding affinity, leading to the dissociation of SC[4]A rings from the stalks, thus opening the nanovalves and releasing the cargos. The NIR light-responsive mechanized AuNR@MSN offers exciting prospects for non-invasive controlled drug delivery, being more effective and safer than other techniques.

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PurposeThis paper presents a novel hands‐free control system for intelligent wheelchairs (IWs) based on visual recognition of head gestures.Design/methodology/approachA robust head gesture‐based interface (HGI), is designed for head gesture recognition of the RoboChair user. The recognised gestures are used to generate motion control commands to the low‐level DSP motion controller so that it can control the motion of the RoboChair according to the user's intention. Adaboost face detection algorithm and Camshift object tracking algorithm are combined in our system to achieve accurate face detection, tracking and gesture recognition in real time. It is intended to be used as a human‐friendly interface for elderly and disabled people to operate our intelligent wheelchair using their head gestures rather than their hands.FindingsThis is an extremely useful system for the users who have restricted limb movements caused by some diseases such as Parkinson's disease and quadriplegics.Practical implicationsIn this paper, a novel integrated approach to real‐time face detection, tracking and gesture recognition is proposed, namely HGI.Originality/valueIt is an useful human‐robot interface for IWs.

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