Publication

In a new Angewandte Chemie  paper, researchers report a major advance in controlling water-soluble azopolymers with low-energy visible light  by using a strategy called sensitized disequilibration (DESC) . Traditionally these molecular switches require harmful UV light, but by combining DESC with polymers made via RAFT, the team achieved switching efficiencies up to about 85 % under yellow light , opening doors for light-driven soft materials and biomedical applications. A sp

Shuai Zang and Matias Paatelainen have developed a hydrogel-based hybrid microcavity laser sensor  that uses the unique interaction between soft hydrogel materials and plasmonic effects to dramatically boost laser-based sensing performance. This novel sensor, published recently in ACS Sensors , exploits the microcavity’s optical resonance to achieve enhanced detection sensitivity, potentially opening new avenues for ultrasensitive chemical and biological sensing technologies.

Zixuan Deng together with other researchers from Tampere University and Anhui Jianzhu University (China) have developed a novel light‑fueled self‑oscillating material that responds to mechanical force, opening paths toward adaptive soft robots and sensors. The team used a light‑responsive liquid‑crystal network (LCN) strip that, under constant illumination and an applied load, transitions from static deformation to continuous motion. The oscillation amplitude increases with

Mari Isomäki and colleagues from Tampere University have found that thin polymer coatings can protect light-responsive azobenzene films in water, making them suitable for biomedical applications. The films, which change surface patterns when illuminated, usually degrade or blister in aqueous environments. Coatings of PDMS and parylene C preserved their functionality, with parylene C performing best , preventing damage and enhancing cell compatibility. These results suggest po

A new Chemical Science  editorial showcases how supramolecular chemistry is progressing toward commercialization , with contributions from Anthony P. Davis, Jennifer R. Hiscock, Calden N. Carroll, Michael M. Haley, Darren W. Johnson, Jonathan F. Arambula, Krystle Karoscik, Jonathan L. Sessler, and Arri Priimägi and Matti Virkki representing Tampere University. The article, “Making molecules work – stories of supramolecular translation” , presents real-world examples of mole

Antti and Sami discovered that a light-responsive molecule called azobenzene  changes color depending on temperature when it interacts with acid. Their experiments and computer models showed that colder conditions shift the balance between protonated and non-protonated forms, opening up possibilities for simple temperature sensors . This collaboration highlights how lab work combined with theory can turn basic chemistry into practical tools. Read more ...

A new study in Advanced Materials  presents halogen-bonded liquid crystal elastomers  that act as initiator-free photochemical actuators , enabling precise light-driven movements. These materials show multimodal actuation , including rolling and underwater gripping, offering exciting potential for soft robotics and adaptive devices. The work is a collaboration including Tampere University, Aalto University and University of Cambridge . Congratulations to Hongshuang Guo  and t

Hongshuang Guo  and collaborators from Tampere and Jyväskylä universities have developed liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs)  that combine shape memory  and actuation  using chalcogen bonds (Se⋯N and S⋯N interactions) . Published in Angewandte Chemie  ( DOI: 10.1002/ange.202508101 ), the study shows that Se‑based LCEs enable reversible shape changes, rewritable surface patterns, and even light‑driven micro‑robots, while S‑based LCEs lack these dynamic behaviors. Advanced spectr

Researchers at Tampere University have developed a novel welding‑based fabrication method for liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators, allowing the assembly of complex, multicomponent soft robotic structures with programmable shape transformations. Jie Jiang and the team demonstrated that dynamic disulfide bonds can weld LCE segments while preserving molecular orientation, overcoming limitations of physical adhesives and enabling sophisticated actuator designs. This work was

A new scientific publication has shown that halogen bonding can be a powerful tool for boosting the performance of organic electronic devices , a breakthrough recognized by its selection as the cover article of the journal issue . By applying strong, directional halogen bonding to a pyridine-substituted naphthalene diimide (NDI) semiconductor, the study demonstrates how molecular packing and solid-state morphology can be precisely controlled—key factors governing charge trans

Concept of the study

Yasaman Nemati published her second PhD thesis paper about materials combining both magnetic and optical responsiveness offering powerful, dual-mode control in underwater actuation. Great achievement! Collaborative work of the SPM group with groups of Prof. Hao Zeng (Tampere University) and Prof Jaakko Tiimonen (Aalto University, Finland), as well as Prof. Carlos Sánchez-Somolinos (CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Spain), demonstrates that dual-responsive LCEs that combine magnet

The first paper for Roshan Nasare's PhD work featuring a supramolecular liquid crystal elastomer actuator with integrated shape memory function is out! Congratulations! In the work, the authors Roshan Nasare, Hongshuang Guo and Arri Priimägi present a multi-mode, supramolecular liquid crystal elastomer actuator that integrates shape memory programming, humidity sensitivity, and photochemical actuation, depending on the pre-activation conditions. Switching between different st

SPM congratulates Zixuan Deng with the publication of his PhD research in Nature Materials journal! In the paper, Deng et al. report a...

6 SPM people at once authored the paper and the biggest contributions are made by Sami Vesamäki and SPM alumnus Matti Virkki! The paper...

Sometimes a detour is the way to find a new exciting research direction and publish a review on it in Chemical Science. Kim Kuntze from...

Collaborative perspective article of 8 principal investigators of Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER) Center of Excellence has been...

Microscopy image of the epithelial cells used in the study, the cytoskeleton (magenta) and nuclei (cyan) of the cell are fluorescently...

In the article we use shape memory effect for shape programming of liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) photoactuators. Supramolecular...

Smiley symbol realized by superimposing 41 individual patterns. The diffraction pattern matches the design very well but appears slightly...