The design of molecular systems that are capable to respond, adapt and reorganise under the influence of an external trigger such as light continues to highly impact fundamental chemistry research disciplines In particular, photoswitchable dynamic behaviour is highly recognised, not in the least by the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for molecular machines

We recently discovered a new conceptual approach that bypasses some fundamental limitations related to the light-switchable behaviour in polymer systems Specifically, we devised a polymer material that can be reversibly and repeatedly crosslinked solely upon visible light irradiation, yet importantly also be kept stable as long as the light is switched on In other words, our concept enables to transform a liquid polymer formulation into a covalent polymer network and maintain the stiffness thereof upon irradiation, but induces the crosslinked material to collapse when it is placed in the dark, so that the initial liquified properties are reinstated

The overarching aim of the current project is to work on an in-depth development of our pioneering concept and to exploit the potential of this new class of so-called ‘ight-stabilised dynamic materials’in an array of polymer applications Moreover, we are devoted to explore and establish novel chemistries to further validate our advanced polymer systems, which is considered to be a key step in the development of next generation materials that can be manipulated by light