Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation

Honglong Hu; Wentan Wan; Xuan Liu; Xinshi Liang; Conglong Yuan; Yiran Ren; Yuxing Zhan; Zhi-Gang Zheng; Wei-Hong Zhu

doi:10.1038/s41377-025-02083-7

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Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation

Original Articles

- Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation
- Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation
- Light: Science & Applications 2026年15卷第1期页码：198-207
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
  2.School of Physics, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
  3.School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
  4.Center of Photosensitive Chemicals Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Author bio：
  
  Zhi-Gang Zheng (zgzheng@ecust.edu.cn)
  Wei-Hong Zhu (whzhu@ecust.edu.cn)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-025-02083-7
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2025-06-04，
  
  修回：2025-09-10，
  
  录用：2025-10-05，
  
  网络出版：2026-01-01，
  
  纸质出版：2026-01-31
- Accepted：
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Honglong Hu, Wentan Wan, Xuan Liu, 等. Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2026,15(1):198-207.

Hu, H. L. et al. Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 198-207 (2026).
Honglong Hu, Wentan Wan, Xuan Liu, 等. Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2026,15(1):198-207. DOI： 10.1038/s41377-025-02083-7.

Hu, H. L. et al. Paintable soft photonic architectures featuring multi-stable light-actuation. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 198-207 (2026). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-025-02083-7.

摘要

Abstract

Dynamic photoprogramming of paintable liquid crystal photonic devices with multi-stability shows practical application in smart soft materials and responsive optics. However

there exist three key challenges that limit their development: achieving precise paintability with controllable viscosity and resolution

maintaining well-ordered liquid crystal photonic structures

and enabling multi-stable photoresponsive behavior. Here

we address these limitations by incorporating an intrinsic photoswitch into a cellulose-based liquid crystal system

further constructing a unique paintable helical photonic architecture featuring both multi-stability and dynamic light-actuation. The intrinsic chiral photoswitch enables multi-stable modulation of helical pitch

while optimized viscosity restrains the remarkable fluidity of traditional liquid crystal systems and matches proper surface anchoring

thereby allowing for paintability and programming of a photonic device. The cutting-edge single-step painting enables highly efficient

large-area and well-defined patterning of helical architectures on diverse flexible substrates

thereby promoting prospective applications in anti-counterfeiting

information encryption

and smart window-film. This strategy establishes a robust and versatile foundation that integrates practical explorations in soft matter photonics with state-of-the-art engineering applications

such as multifunctional interactive optical information systems and advanced intelligent flexible sensors.

关键词

Keywords

references

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