Substituent-engineered anthracene crystals for ultrafast and reversible photomechanical actuation

Key Points

• Ultrafast photomechanical actuation of anthracene crystals occurs with minimal delay, enhancing performance in smart materials.
• Photomechanical response times as quick as 50 milliseconds demonstrate the efficiency of the engineered crystals.
• Substituent engineering methods enable reversible actuation, offering versatility in material applications.
• Potential applications span from soft robotics to responsive surfaces, underscoring the material's versatility in technology.