In the last century, molecular crystals functioned predominantly as a means for determining
the molecular structures via X-ray diffraction, albeit as the century came to a close the …

Abstract Single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) phase transitions are direct structural
evolutions of crystalline materials in the solid state without the damage of ordering in the …

Molecular crystals with the ability to transform light energy into macroscopic mechanical
motions are a promising class of materials with potential applications in actuating and …

Phase transitions induced by activator concentration should be avoided in most cases
because they usually degrade luminescent properties of inorganic phosphors. However, in …

Dynamic twisting crystals, combining the features of dynamic crystals and twisting crystals,
promise advanced applications in targeted drug delivery, biosensors, microrobots, and …

Mechanically responsive crystals have been increasingly explored, mainly based on
photoisomerization. However, photoisomerization has some disadvantages for crystal …

Research on molecular crystals exhibiting light‐driven actuation has made remarkable
progress through the development of various molecules and the identification of driving …

Shape memory alloys have been used extensively in actuators, couplings, medical guide
wires, and smart devices, because of their unique shape memory effect and superelasticity …

Thermally triggered spatial symmetry breaking in traditional ferroelectrics has been
extensively studied for manipulation of the ferroelectricity. However, photoinduced molecular …

Photomechanically responsive materials are promising candidates for future smart actuator
applications. The photo-responsive behaviors originate from the photoisomerization of …