Helically twistable cyanoacrylate crystal with simultaneous photomechanical bending

Abstract

A cyanoacrylate derivative crystal exhibits an unusual combination of one-dimensional elasticity, plasticity, and reversible hand-held twisting. Twisting induces a reversible single crystal to polycrystal transition. It also displays photobending via a cycloaddition reaction under 365 nm irradiation and thermally recovers its original state, retaining functionality in the twisted state, indicating potential applications in soft robotics and smart actuators.