Photonic crystals have attracted great attention because of their potential applications in optical materials. When an optically birefringent liquid crystal is incorporated in photonic crystals, ...

They decided to test whether ultraviolet light triggered changes in the surface tension of azobenzene plastic film, and whether those changes resulted in the film moving. They chose to first cover ...

A team of German researchers have created an adhesive pad inspired by the sticky feet of geckos that unsticks from objects when triggered by ultraviolet light. The pad could lead to robotic fingers ...

Rapid bending of the platelike microcrystals (about 525 µm long) of trans-4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene takes place when the sample is irradiated with 365 nm light. The microcrystals whip forward in the ...

In a recent study, scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, have developed light-responsive DNA condensates that exhibit multi-modal mechanical actions. These novel micro-assemblies can be ...

A light-sensitive polymer changes how it conducts heat and lithium ions by switching molecular order, revealing a path toward self-regulating materials for batteries and electronics. (Nanowerk ...

Azobenzene-containing plastic film is a peculiar material: Its surface can change shape when exposed to light, making it a valuable component in modern technologies/devices like TV screens and solar ...

Scientists show that azobenzene-containing film, important for many industries, does not need to be made entirely of light-sensitive material to function. Azobenzene-containing plastic film is a ...

(Nanowerk News) Azobenzene-containing plastic film is a peculiar material; its surface can change shape when exposed to light, making it a valuable component in modern technologies/devices like TV ...