Scientists at Hokkaido University have discovered that they can use mechanical force to start chemical reactions.
The team led by Professor Hajime Ito of the Faculty of Engineering and WPI-ICReDD is pioneering a research field called “mechanochemistry”. Since 2007, they have developed crystals that change colors in response to mechanical stimuli like grinding, rubbing or scratching. Potential applications range from bioimaging reagents to security inks in passports.
The team’s most recent discovery represents a big step forward for mechanochemistry. They found that a mechanical force can trigger chemical reactions in organic compounds.
Hajime Ito says, “Chemical reactions are often prompted by heating, or need a large amount of harmful organic solvent. In our study, we focused on what’s called ‘piezoelectric’ materials, which generate electric potentials in response to mechanical pressure.”