Introduction: Azobenzene is a chemical compound composed of two phenyl rings by a double bond (N=N). It is a yellow or orange crystalline solid used mainly in the manufacture of dyes. The term ‘azobenzene’ or simply ‘azo’ is often used to refer to a wide class of molecules that share the core azobenzene structure, with different chemical functional groups extending from phenyl rings. Liquid crystals, are sometimes coined as “the fourth state of matter”. Devices and machines that convert energy from one form to another are a common thread woven through modern society, ranging from the generation of electrical energy from solar radiation to power our homes, to the creation of mechanical motion from the chemical energy of gasoline to power our cars. Increasing the efficiency of these devices and machines, or inventing alternatives, is arguably one of the major themes permeating engineering. In most instances, the design of a machine determines the optimal bandwidth, frequency, and magnitude of the input and output energy or power. The energy conversion process occurs at a surface or within a functional material at the heart of the device.

Experimental Characterization of Azobenzene Photomechanical Polymers

Conclusion: Soft materials such as liquid crystals and liquid-crystalline polymers have emerged as the most promising and exciting classes of materials for reconfigurable photonic elements and optical-to-mechanical energy conversion. These molecular properties can be separately tailored and tuned to the requirements of specific application. Twisting, aligning, and bending materials with light is an exciting scientific solution that can offer important and significant advantages to many applied fields, and warrants much further study and applications.

Procedures to Prepare Azobenzene for Data Collection: 1. Azobenzene samples were cut to <1mm using a razor blade. 2. Measurements of length, width and thickness were taken of sample using a caliper. 3. Kapton tape is placed on both ends of sample to prep for mounting. 4. Azobenzene sample was then secured between load cell clamps. 5. Power-meter settings using National Instruments stagboard. 6. Sample is relaxed then stretched, initial data is then recorded using Lab View Software. 7. Light/ Laser is used to interact with the Azobenzene sample. 8. After fifteen minutes of the laser heating the Azobenzene sample, the data collecting process is complete. 9. Finally, data is interpreted and entered using the Mat Lab Post Processing Software.

Conversion of light to Mechanical Energy

Measured Sample

Ashley and Sabah work on clamping and adjusting Azo

sample.

Cutting Azobenzene Sample

Clamped Azobenzene sample prepped for light interaction

and data collection.

Kapton is often used to secure Azobenzene sample in the clamps.

Cedric is looking at Azo Sample

Azobenzene Sample

Acknowledgements: Dr. William “Billy” Oates for mentoring us in the studies conducted at the Florida State University AME and Materials Building. We really appreciate your willingness and patience in guiding us in the exploration in Mechanical Engineering. Our gratitude goes to Jose Sanchez and the CIRL staff for opening your doors and allowing us to participate in this enriching professional development. Thanks, Sabah Chowdhury. You have been a valuable resource in microanalysis of our azobenzene samples. We couldn’t have done it without your expertise. To our principals Dr. Cynthia Clay and Iris Wilson thank you for your support. To RET 2k15, I wish you guys and girls the best in the upcoming school year. This research is funded through DMR 1157490

Purpose: To characterize azobenzene for its wide range of applications and how it response/ interacts with light.

Resulting Product: When the light hits the Azobenzene sample it changes the photomechanical and thermal characteristics from the data collected we can determine the effects and uses based on those characteristics. The data also helps us interpret the stress, voltage and light intensity place upon the Azobenzene.

Azobenzene

References: C. Barrett, A. Priimagi and A. Shishido, “Recent twists in Photoactuation and Photoalignment control,” Journal of Materials Chemistry C, vol.2, no. 35 pp. 7143-7438 T. White, “Photogenerating work from Polymers”, Materials Today, vol. 11 no. 7-8 2008.

Experimental Data

<1mm

3mm

5µm

Mentor Dr. William “Billy” Oates Graduate Research Assistant Sabah Chowdhury

Ashley Harvey Apalachee Elementary Tallahassee, Fl

Cedric Ward Dr. Robert B. Ingram Elementary Opa-Locka, Fl

Data: When light hits the Azobenzene sample a wave effect is created. Once the light source is stopped there is a plateau seen in the data. The longer the Azobenzene sample is exposed to the LED light or Laser the more vibrations can be observed. Data was collected over seven trails.