Anisotropic Bending and Unbending Behavior of Azobenzene Liquid‐Crystalline Gels by Light Exposure

Freestanding azobenzene‐containing liquid‐crystalline gel films that undergo a significant and anisotropic bending toward the irradiation direction when exposed to UV light have been prepared. When the bent films are exposed to visible light they unbend immediately, and the initial flat films are restored (see Figure and Inside front cover).