Participating Group (2020-2021)
Development of Mechanical Soft Crystals by Photo-Triggered Phase Transition
Research Outline
Mechanically responsive organic materials induced by external stimuli such as light and heat have much attention from the prospect of novel smart actuators for soft robotics. In the course to diversify the actuation behaviors of molecular crystals, this researcher has discovered a new phase transition named “photo-triggered phase transition”. The photo-triggered phase transition originates from a small strain of photoproducts, inducing crystal structure change of a photochromic crystal though a domino-like effect. The manifestation of the photo-triggered phase transition is reversible, and therefore allows repeatable photo-functions. This research aims to develop mechanically responsive soft crystals induced by the photo-triggered phase transition, contributing to the development of soft crystal’s science.
