Scientists have managed to create a unique material.
Now there are a lot of smart materials, but they all have a common problem: they are smart, in one direction only. But scientists from Washington have managed to create a material that changes shape when exposed to light and heat.
Previous versions of these materials had a narrow range of applications, and scientists wanted when using this material it was clear as to what exactly it is used.
The team, which managed to create a smart material that had a purpose: to overcome the main obstacles that made the material weak. The researchers began with a liquid crystal networks (LCNs) that are thermally flexible and have the ability to change shape and return to its original state depending on the temperature. Later this material was treated with azobenzene, which reacts to light during flexion, or can be reoriented in accordance with the wavelength. After adding certain chemical bonds managed to increase the wear resistance of this material.
“We knew that these different technologies work independently and trying to combine them so that they were compatible,” said Michael Kessler, a leading Professor of the team.
The researchers were able at the molecular level to program material in order to determine the reaction to his stimuli. It turned out that when exposed to blue light, the material will bend and unbend after exposure to UV-light, and assemble themselves when heated.
