Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
Published on: October 31, 2019
Helically twistable cyanoacrylate crystal with simultaneous photomechanical bending
Thiyagaraj Parthasarathy1, Aritra Bhowmik2,3, Manish Kumar Mishra2,3
1Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India. soumyajitghosh89@gmail.com.
Abstract:
A cyanoacrylate derivative crystal exhibits an unusual combination of one-dimensional elasticity, plasticity, and reversible hand-held twisting. Twisting induces a reversible single crystal to polycrystal transition. It also displays photobending via a cycloaddition reaction under 365 nm irradiation and thermally recovers its original state, retaining functionality in the twisted state, indicating potential applications in soft robotics and smart actuators.
Related Concept Videos
Unsymmetric Bending
Unsymmetric Bending - Angle of Neutral Axis
When a bending moment is applied at an angle θ concerning the vertical axis of a symmetrical member, it can be resolved into components along the member's principal...
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Conformations of Cyclohexane
The chair form is the most stable and derives its name from its resemblance to the “easy chair.” In the chair conformation, two carbon atoms are arranged out-of-plane — one above and one below, minimizing the torsional strain. In the chair form, the bond angle is very close to the ideal...
Angle of Twist - Elastic Range

