The research group of Professor Seiya Kobatake of the Osaka City University Graduate School of Engineering (Applied Chemistry and Bioengineering Department) has discovered a microcrystal that twists when exposed to light. This discovery opens up the possibility in the near future to develop microscopic mechanical devices that can be driven by light, as light energy is converted into mechanical energy. The research has been published in the online edition of ‘Angewandte Chemie International Edition' (published from 19 July).    

Publication:

Journal Title: Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Article title: “Photoinduced Twisting of a Photochromic Diarylethene Crystal”
Author: Professor Seiya Kobatake (Osaka City University Graduate School of Engineering)
Online article URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201304670

Main points of research

• Discovery of an organic crystal that shows photoreversible twisting when      irradiated with ultraviolet and visible light.
• The size of the discovered organic crystal is 1/10^th of the width of a hair and instantly twists when exposed to light.

Inquiries regarding research:
Osaka City University
Graduate School of Engineering - Chemistry and Bioengineering Department
Professor Seiya Kobatake: kobatakea-chem.eng.osaka-cu.ac.jp (only emails regarding this specific research please)