Remote Phase Control of Polymers and New Opportunities

The phase or state of matter dictates its properties. Hence, the ability to selectively and dynamically alter these phases provides a high degree of control over material functionalities. Unlike conventional methods that rely on direct physical contact with an external heat source, remote control using light allows phase changes to be triggered precisely and on-demand, opening up untapped potential. This talk introduces our recent progress in photoliquefiable polymers. We briefly elucidate the design principles for polymer systems capable of rapid solid-liquid transitions at room temperature. We also showcase how this remote phase control can be applied to develop new functionalities for various applications, such as soft robotics and energy-related devices.