Photomechanical effect is the change in the shape of a material when it is exposed to light. This effect was first documented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880.[1] Kenji Uchino demonstrated that a photostrictive material could be used for legs in the construction of a miniature optically-powered "walker".[2]
The most common mechanism of photomechanical effect is light-induced heating.
Photomechanical materials may be considered smart materials due to their natural change implemented by external factors.
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