Remote-controllable and encryptable smart glasses: a photoresponsive azobenzene molecular commander determines the molecular alignments of liquid crystal soldiers

Abstract

For the development of optically encryptable smart glass that can control the molecular alignment of liquid crystals (LCs), an azobenzene-based reactive molecule (ARM) capable of trans-cis photoisomerization is newly designed...

Encryptable Electrochromic Smart Windows: Uniaxially Oriented and Polymerized Hierarchical Nanostructures Constructed by Self-Assembly of Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Reactive Mesogens

“…Both N and D states showed maximum A schematic illustration is presented to provide a detailed explanation of the effect of angular positioning of the TTFM device between the CPs on the transmittance (Figure 5g). 16,50,51 When the polarized light from the polarizer is parallel or perpendicular to the optic axis of the TTFM, the direction of the light does not change. The blocking of light by the analyzer perpendicular to the polarizer occurs due to the relative positioning of the optic axis and CP.…”

“…Over the past decades, the research field of smart windows has received considerable attention due to the growing importance for energy conservation, indoor environment control, personal privacy protection, and information encryption. − Among various strategies or materials using photochromism, thermochromism, electrochromism, plasmonic effect, and reflection for smart windows, electrochromic (EC) materials have been widely studied based on the properties of being easily controllable and reversible color-switching through electric potential change. − The redox reactions of EC materials through potential change can tune the light absorption wavelength by changing the electron density of the nanostructured chromophore. ,, Due to their selective light absorption properties driven by redox reactions, EC materials have found widespread application in energy-saving architecture, optical displays, sensors, and optical security devices. − …”

Multifunctional Liquid Crystal Polymer Networks: Azobenzene-Based Monoacrylate Molecules Impart a Photothermal Effect to Polymer Networks

“…To realize an LCPN with a photothermal effect, AM molecules consisting of a photoisomerizable azobenzene, flexible alkyl chains, and polymerizable acrylate function were newly designed and synthesized . The synthesis procedures are described in Figure S1 and Experimental Section.…”

“…Over the last several decades, global resource depletion, environmental pollution, global warming, and international conflicts have further increased interest in stimuli-responsive materials that use environmentally friendly sources of energy. , Heat, light, wind, and water are environmental energy resources that are renewable and are being widely studied as they are applied to stimuli-responsive applications such as smart textiles, drug delivery, microfluidics, and soft robotics. − Among the stimuli, light is generally employed because it can utilize various applications through easy usability, temporal resolution, and wavelength adjustment. However, a specific molecule is still required to become a light-responsive material. , Azobenzenes are well-known light-responsive molecules that can undergo a reversible photochemical isomerization between trans - and cis -isomers. − The azobenzene-containing polymers can exhibit various shape changes such as bending, curling, and oscillatory motion driven fueled by the light stimulus. − …”

Smart Nematic Liquid Crystal Polymers for Micromachining Advances

“…The azobenzene molecules will follow the light polarization direction and the LC molecules will be led in the same direction making them reconfigurable ( Figure 2 D). The azobenzene used can be one of several forms that have been optimized for LC alignment protocols [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Finally, the last example shown in Figure 2 E shows a pre-patterning of two glass substrates [ 39 ], which will form the boundaries of the LC cell.…”