We expect crystals to be rigid and brittle, so scientists were shocked when some of their crystals seemed to come alive under a microscope. They hope to use the unusual behavior to make tiny machines powered by light that could deliver targeted medicine inside the body.

“Advancing photomechanical crystals: Light-powered continuous motion of molecular crystals”
Presented at ACS Spring 2024 on March 19, 2024
Presenter: Rabih O. Al-Kaysi, Ph.D.
Principal investigators: Rabih O. Al-Kaysi, Ph.D., and Christopher J. Bardeen, Ph.D.

Watch an interview about this research:    • Light-activated crystals that creep l...  

To read an ACS press release about this research, go to https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspa...

Credits:
Written and produced by Kerri Jansen
Edited by Darren Weaver
Narrated by Emily Schneider
Executive produced by Matthew Radcliff
Sarah Michaud contributed research for this video.

Research videos and images from Rabih O. Al-Kaysi, Ph.D., and Christopher J. Bardeen, Ph.D.

Additional video: Shutterstock
Music: “The Very Best Day (Instrumental Version)” by Niklas Gabrielsson with Martin Landström & His Orchestra from Epidemic Sound

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