Actuation in crosslinked polymers via photoinduced stress relaxation

Photoinduced polymer actuation by relieving stress unevenly through the thickness of a chemically crosslinked, rubbery polymer upon light exposure is demonstrated (see figure). The sensitivity of this method to light is greater than previously developed photoinduced actuation techniques, as the recurring chain-transfer reactions amplify the effects of each absorbed photon and subsequently generated radical on the stress-relief and actuation processes.