Photomechanical Effect
Encyclopedia
The photomechanical effect is the change in the shape
of a material
when it is exposed to light
. The photomechanical effect was first documented by Alexander Graham Bell
in 1880. More recently, Uchino demonstrated that a photostrictive material could be used as legs in the construction of a miniature optically-powered "walker."
The most common mechanism of the photomechanical effect is light-induced heating.
Shape
The shape of an object located in some space is a geometrical description of the part of that space occupied by the object, as determined by its external boundary – abstracting from location and orientation in space, size, and other properties such as colour, content, and material...
of a material
Material
Material is anything made of matter, constituted of one or more substances. Wood, cement, hydrogen, air and water are all examples of materials. Sometimes the term "material" is used more narrowly to refer to substances or components with certain physical properties that are used as inputs to...
when it is exposed to light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
. The photomechanical effect was first documented by Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
in 1880. More recently, Uchino demonstrated that a photostrictive material could be used as legs in the construction of a miniature optically-powered "walker."
The most common mechanism of the photomechanical effect is light-induced heating.