Abstract:

Photons have multiple enabling advantages to control chemical reactions and stimuli-responsive materials.  In this seminar, I will discuss our groups effort to design and develop a new class of negative photochromic molecules termed DASA, their incorporation into materials and subsequent effort to unlock their potential to convert light directly into mechanical work. Additionally, a new Diels–Alder based photoclick platform to enable bio-orthogonal chemistry with spatial control for biomaterial applications will be discussed.