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MRP Conference in Nantes, April 25 – 28, 2016 PHOTOCHROMIC SWITCHES CONVERTING LIGHT INTO MACROSCOPIC HELICAL MOTION KATSONIS Nathalie Bio-inspired and Smart Materials MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology (BNT), University of Twente, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected] Designing and synthesising molecular machines capable of converting movement into macroscopic work remains a challenge for nanotechnology. While molecular switches and motors have been developed and conversion of light into molecular shape change has been reported, harnessing the work of individual molecules to design functional materials remains elusive. Our approach to address this challenge involves the use of liquid crystals, where molecular switching is amplified from the nanoscale up to the macroscopic level. In this presentation I will describe the design, synthesis and operation of functional helix-based materials where molecular movement is amplified up to the level of the macroscale. In particular, I will demonstrate biomimetic spring-like materials that are formed by light-responsive liquid crystal elastomers, and display versatile photomechanical responses. How to optimize the power produced by the motion of these devices will be addressed also. These results suggest exciting opportunities towards soft robotics and in terms of shaping matter with light. KEYWORDS: liquid crystals, soft matter, self-assembly, azobenzenes