Phys.org  April 19, 2021 Researchers in Japan found that under irradiation with UV light crystals of a photochromic diarylethene peels off into micrometer sized crystals at a speed of 260 microseconds. These crystals can be potentially applied to macroscopic photomechanical actuators rapidly driven based on molecular machinery. As the material returns to its former molecular structure when exposed to visible light, the exfoliation method positions itself as a candidate for photoactuator manufacturing. A machine made up of photoactuators would not need direct contact with the power source to move. Among its many possible functions, it could be accurately manipulated within […]