Light-Driven Flipping of Azobenzene Assemblies-Sparse Crystal Structures and Responsive Behaviour to Polarised Light

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Robotics

Background:

• Autonomous microrobots require self-organization for sustained mechanical motion.
• Self-organization involves systems evading equilibrium via spatio-temporal pattern formation.
• Previous work identified self-oscillatory flipping motion in azobenzene-containing co-crystals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To regulate the self-oscillatory flipping motion of azobenzene-containing co-crystals.
• To investigate the role of light-receiving sensor molecules and azobenzene alignment in crystal structures.
• To demonstrate information-responsive, self-sustainable motion in molecular materials.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing azobenzene-containing co-crystals with anisotropic structures.
• Incorporating light-receiving sensor molecules to modulate motion.
• Analyzing the specific roles of different azobenzene molecules within the crystal lattice.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated regulation of flipping motion via a light-receiving sensor molecule.
• Identified specific azobenzene molecules acting as reaction centers for light-to-mechanical conversion.
• Showcased other azobenzene molecules functioning as modulators for spatio-pattern regulation.

Conclusions:

• Autonomously drivable molecular materials can achieve information-responsive, self-sustainable motion.
• The integration of stimulus-responsive sensors is key for controlling self-organized systems.
• This research advances the development of self-controlling autonomous microrobots.