Organic Material with Photochemically Reversible Liquefaction and Solidification

1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexa-O-[11-[4-(4-hexylphenylazo)phenoxy]undecanoyl]-D-mannitol (1), developed by Akiyama, Yoshida, is a liquid-crystalline compound having a skeleton of sugar alcohol and azobenzene groups. 1 shows the photo-reactivity of liquefaction by UV light and solidification by visible light at room temperature, and can be repeatedly liquefied and solidified. The use of 1 is expected to apply to reusable photo-reversible adhesives.

Liquefaction of the solid by UV light irradiation, and solidification by visible light irradiation (provided from AIST)

View of photo-reversible adhesion and non-adhesion

*This product receives a license of invention of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
(Jpn. Patent Appl. 5360794).
If you use it for industrial purposes, please contact us.