Smart Polymeric Materials: From Fundamental Science to New Technologies – Mark G. Kuzyk

Date: Wed. January 12th, 2011, 4:15 pm-5:15 pm
Location: Rockefeller 301

Dye doped polymers, which were originally designed for nonlinear-optical applications, combine the good optical quality and processabilty of the host polymer with the optical and electrical properties of the dopant. Combining the nonlinear-optical and photomechanical properties in a single material may lead to utrasmart morphing materials with emergent properties. In this talk, I will discus our research on the mechanisms of of the photomechanical effect in dye-doped liquid crystal elastomers, demonstration of novel devices, and the observation of new phenomena such as self-healing following photodegradation. To conclude, I will speculate on futureque applications of highly integrated utra-smart photomechanical materials.