“… 18 The physicochemical and structural changes accompanying their E – Z photoisomerization, i.e., the photochromic effect, have been widely exploited to provide the strategy for material modification by means of light stimulation. 19 , 20 Up to now, azo compounds have been used to modulate the properties of supramolecular systems, 21 − 23 biomolecules (DNA, protein), 24 , 25 ion channels and receptors, 26 , 27 polymers, 28 and liquid crystals, 29 , 30 in solution as well as on surfaces and bulk materials, transferring effects from the molecular level to the macroscopic scale. 31 In general, the E – Z isomerization is induced by UV irradiation and the return to the initial state can be achieved either by visible light or thermally.…”