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IMAGE: The UV-induced deformation of the polycinnamate was analyzed by time-resolved IR spectroscopy, and it was confirmed that photoexpansion occurred based on the trans-to-cis isomerization of main chain cinnamate units.. view more
Credit: Image courtesy: Tatsuo Kaneko and Kenji Takada from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
A phenomenon of photoexpansion in hard plastic films with a high glass transition temperature in the dry state was established, which was essentially different from very soft actuators, such as elastomers or gels. The photoexpanding hard actuators were expected to apply in the wide fields because they do not contain vaporable matters such as solvents and were much more thermoresistant than conventional ones.