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Innovative research group develops smart lighting materials for the future
Dortmund initiates a research group to develop intelligent, stimuli-responsive lighting materials in cooperation with seven universities.
Innovative research group develops smart lighting materials for the future
A lot is happening in the exciting world of photonic technologies. On July 15, 2025, the new DFG research group STIL-COCOs (stimulus-responsive luminescent coordination compounds) was launched, which aims to develop novel, intelligent materials. These materials are not only used in OLED displays and laser systems, but could also have an important place in future sensory applications. How tu-dortmund.de reported, physically controlled light emissions are currently still in the early stages of their development and promise great potential for various industrial applications.
An interdisciplinary team from seven universities, including TU Dortmund, Münster, Bonn and Mainz, came together to work on these innovative materials. The team brings together experts from various fields, including theory, synthetic chemistry and spectroscopy, to develop innovative solutions. The co-speaker, Prof. Katja Heinze from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, emphasizes how important access to large research institutions such as the German Electron Synchrotron DESY in Hamburg is for the successful progress in this research group.
The world of stimuli-responsive materials
But what makes these new materials so special? The focus is on small, light molecules that respond to physical stimuli. Various influences such as pressure, shear forces and magnetic and electric fields are examined in order to understand how they can change the properties of luminescence. The aim is to develop clear design principles for key photonic technologies. How through pubs.rsc.org explains, luminescent films are becoming increasingly important due to their unique properties, especially for optical displays, sensors and switches.
Research also focuses on responsiveness, which opens up important practical applications. This enables the development of fluorescent switching systems that react sensitively to external stimuli. In the future, this could help create flexible and efficient technologies that are better suited to different application areas.
Applications and outlook
Another exciting aspect is the ongoing investigation into light-sensitive materials that could be used for various applications in areas such as biomedicine or energy storage. Loud mpip-mainz.mpg.de In particular, light-sensitive azo polymers that undergo cis-trans isomerization under UV or visible light are used. These polymers could enable reactions in materials that change reversibly, such as healing cracks or refinishing surfaces.
In summary, we are on the threshold of a new era in materials science, where the combination of chemistry and physical stimuli could open new doors. The ongoing research results show promising progress, and it remains exciting to see what innovative applications will come our way in the future.