On Sense and Deform: Molecular Luminescence for Mechanoscience

Yuichi Hirai

doi:10.1021/acsaom.4c00101

Article On Sense and Deform: Molecular Luminescence for Mechanoscience

Yuichi Hirai (National Institute for Materials Science)

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Yuichi Hirai. On Sense and Deform: Molecular Luminescence for Mechanoscience. ACS Applied Optical Materials. 2024, 2 (6), 1025-1045. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaom.4c00101

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Mechanoscientific research fields encompassing chemistry, physics, and biology have advanced significantly over the last two decades. Notably, the study of photon-emitting phenomena in molecular solids responsive to the mechanical stimulation is known as mechanochromic luminescence (MCL) and mechanoluminescence (ML). These phenomena exhibit significant potential for applications such as sensor technology and anticounterfeiting measures. The versatility observed in molecular designs, enabling control over responsive thresholds and wavelengths, coupled with diverse mechanisms for inducing defor-mation, such as heat, light, and sound, significantly broadens the domain of mechanically sensitive molecular materials. However, the understanding of the nanomechanical aspects about these molecular solids remains elusive. A comprehensive examination of the interplay among molecular structures, deformation characteristics, and luminescence responses is essential for further exploration. Such insights are crucial for addressing the intrinsic limitation of “one-time use” associated with de-formation-induced properties, necessitating a focus on solid-state healing processes as well. Recent investigations into inor-ganic-based ML systems applied to free-standing µ-LEDs and mechanical metamaterial design foreshadow the future trajecto-ry of molecular-based systems. These advancements aim to facilitate the secondary use of generated photons and the efficient capture/transfer of mechanical cues, enhancing optical output. Molecular luminescence stands poised to make substantial contributions to the ongoing rapid progress in mechanoscience due to an expanding synthetic repertoire, heightened biocom-patibility, and precise “structural control” at molecular and macroscopic scales.

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Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Applied Optical Materials, copyright © 2024 The Author. Published by American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaom.4c00101.