Photoresponsive organic molecules.

A Photoresponsive Smart Covalent Organic Framework**

Ordered π-columnar structures found in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) render them attractive as smart materials. However, external-stimuli-responsive COFs have not been explored. Here we report the design and synthesis of a photoresponsive COF with anthracene units as the photoresponsive π-building blocks. The COF is switchable upon photoirradiation to yield a concavo-convex polygon skeleto...

Ionic Polymer Microactuator Activated by Photoresponsive Organic Proton Pumps

An ionic polymer microactuator driven by an organic photoelectric proton pump transducer is described in this paper. The light responsive transducer is fabricated by using molecular self-assembly to immobilize oriented bacteriorhodopsin purple membrane (PM) patches on a bio-functionalized porous anodic alumina (PAA) substrate. When exposed to visible light, the PM proton pumps produce a unidire...

Photoresponsive gelators.

Low molecular weight gels can be responsive to a range of external stimuli. The use of light as an external stimulus to modify gels is of particular interest for a number of reasons. Light is a non-invasive trigger. For example, using light it is possible to spatially target a specific area of the gel leading to patterned gel surfaces. Here, we review the different approaches that have been use...

Characterization of Interstellar Organic Molecules

Understanding the origins of life has been one of the greatest dreams throughout history. It is now known that star-forming regions contain complex organic molecules, known as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), each of which has particular infrared spectral characteristics. By understanding which PAH species are found in specific star-forming regions, we can better understand the biochemi...

Organic molecules on inorganic surfaces.