Light-Triggered Thermal Conductivity Switching In Azobenzene Polymers (IMAGE)

University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering

Light-Triggered Thermal Conductivity Switching In Azobenzene Polymers

Caption

Under ambient conditions or visible light (left side), the polymer is crystalline and has a high thermal conductivity. Once exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light (right side) it transforms to a low thermal conductivity liquid. Imaging performed using polarized optical microscopy; crystals appear bright, and liquid dark. Inset images show schematic illustration of crystalline and liquid polymer in each state.

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University of Illinois Materials Research Lab

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