A review by Luke, co-supervised PhD student from the Tabor group (and visitor before the pandemic!), on azobenzene isomerisation in condensed matter has just appeared in the latest issues of Materials Advances.

Azobenzene-based materials have found applications in a wide variety of systems as a convenient method to induce photo-responsive behaviour through facile trans (E) to cis (Z) isomerization. Of particular interest are condensed matter systems; however, isomerization of azobenzene faces unique challenges in condensed systems when compared with dilute states This review explored the challenges experienced in condensed matter phases, and proposes solutions for future development of light-responsive soft-matter systems.

Well done Luke!