In this basics-oriented research field, stimuli-responsive polymers are synthetized by introducing photocleavable chromophores (e.g., o-nitrobenzyl ester) and photoreversible binding motifs (e.g., anthracene) into the polymer structure. The smart polymers change their material characteristics in response to an external stimulus such as light or temperature, a fact which is exploited for advanced applications such as: 

• Switchable micropatterns (photocurable and photocleavable thiol-ene networks) 

• Self-healing coatings (reversibly crosslinkable epoxy-based networks)

• Recyclable duromers and composites (photodegradable epoxy- based networks)

• Reversible adhesives (reversibly crosslinkable elastomers)

• Stimuli-induced network degradation / substrate release