Yuichi Hirai makes light with mechanical forces

Dr Yuichi Hirai (National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan), former post-doctoral researcher of the PPSM laboratory, came back for a week of experiments (September 4-8, 2023). During his stay at ENS Paris-Saclay, he performed spectroscopy on organic mechanofluorochromic compounds.

What is mechanofluorochromism?

Mechanofluorochromism is a fascinating field at the intersection of chemistry and materials science. It explores the remarkable ability of certain compounds to change their luminescent properties under the influence of mechanical forces. This phenomenon has captured the attention of scientists worldwide due to its potential applications in sensors, displays, and smart materials.

A fruitful collaboration between PPSM laboratory and Japan

Dr Yuichi Hirai came from Japan with several samples of mechanofluorochromic compounds, to exchange and perform experiments with Dr Clémence Allain and Dr Rémi Métivier, pursuing their collaboration that began during his post-doctoral contract. The main interest was to to observe and to quantify the relationship between mechanical stress and changes in luminescence properties at the nanoscale. For example, by studying spectral shifts, he gains insights into the underlying molecular processes, which can include changes in molecular conformation, aggregation state or host-guest interactions.