Light?Driven Actuation in Synthetic Polymers: A Review from Fundamental Concepts to Applications

Light-driven actuation of synthetic polymers is an emerging field interest because it offers simple remote addressing without complicated hydraulic, electric, or magnetic systems. Reviews on this area predominantly emphasize the development mechanical motions like bending, twisting, folding, etc. However, scientific and fundamental aspects these materials are critical in order to expand applications industrial relevance. Polymer actuators driven by light, not only comprise soft (large deformations at low stress) but also include stiff (high stress strain). Synthetic polymeric with photo-responsive additives together underlying mechanisms, processing parameters, final properties required broaden scope field. In particular, parameters stress, strain, work capacity have been given limited attention past discussed extensively. This gives a comprehensive review all light-driven polymer actuators, their actuating materials. A holistic perspective insight into future prospects can lead academia industry toward innovations exciting functional