Research report 2016 - Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Mechanoreponsive molecules as building blocks for smart materials
Authors
Blank, Kerstin G.
Departments
Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Potsdam-Golm
Summary
Smart materials are designed to convert an external stimulus into a pre-defined, programmed response. Only a limited number of materials has been developed to date that are able to report on mechanically induced defects by changing their optical properties. Of further interest are materials that are able to self-heal such defects. To obtain these unique properties, mechanoresponsive molecules are required, which respond to the applied force in a well-defined manner. The research goals are to develop such molecules, to understand the mechanisms and to integrate them into novel smart materials.