Multimode crawling motions of azobenzene crystal induced by light intensities for application as a shape-changeable microcleaner

Crystals of trans -3,3′-dimethylazobenzene (DMAB) exhibit crawling motion on solid surface upon simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet (UV) and visible light from opposite directions. In this study, the shape and velocity during the photoinduced crawling motion of DMAB crystals are successfully contro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:CrystEngComm 2024-11, Vol.26 (44), p.6274-6281
Main Authors: Saikawa, Makoto, Manabe, Kengo, Saito, Koichiro, Kikkawa, Yoshihiro, Norikane, Yasuo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automation
Azo compounds
Crystals
Droplets
Industrial robots
Light
Luminous intensity
Microfluidics
Robotics
Solid surfaces
Task complexity
Ultraviolet radiation
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Summary:Crystals of trans -3,3′-dimethylazobenzene (DMAB) exhibit crawling motion on solid surface upon simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet (UV) and visible light from opposite directions. In this study, the shape and velocity during the photoinduced crawling motion of DMAB crystals are successfully controlled by irradiation light intensities. A higher intensity of the visible light than the UV light causes the crystals to be spread shape and move slower (∼1 μm min −1 ). In contrast, a stronger UV light allows them to be droplet-like shape and move faster (∼4 μm min −1 ). The shape and velocity can be varied by adjusting the light intensities. Shape transformation is effectively applied to cargo capture-carry-release tasks. In particular, spread-shaped crystals capture silica particles over a wide area, whereas droplet-like crystals gather and transport them. This result suggests that a multifunctional soft transporter composed of a single component does not require complex fabrication, thereby contributing to the fields of soft robotics and microfluidics. Photoinduced crawling crystals can change their shape and velocity in response to irradiation intensity. By utilizing a sequence of different irradiation conditions, these changes can be used to improve cargo transport functionality.
ISSN:1466-8033
1466-8033
DOI:10.1039/d4ce00827h