# Hybrid Well-Defined Stimuli-Responsive Materials

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of South Carolina at Columbia (SC) · $539,895

## Abstract

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
With support from the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program in NSF's Division of Materials Research, this project focuses on achieving fast and reversible control over the switching properties of stimuli-responsive materials. These properties are critical for developing and advancing a broad spectrum of current technologies, ranging from ultra-efficient, high-speed optoelectronics to photochromic catalysis and on-demand drug delivery systems. This project provides an understanding of fundamental principles behind the synthesis of materials with light-responsive building blocks, allowing control of their properties. The well-defined light-responsive materials proposed in this project enable such control by leveraging their cooperative response to external light sources, which allows for the precise switching of material properties. Besides fundamental impacts, this research program integrates workforce development and educational opportunities for a broad range of students, including, but not limited to, high school, graduate, and undergraduate students. 

TECHNICAL SUMMARY
The synthesis of well-defined stimuli-responsive materials whose photophysical properties can be controlled orthogonally or cooperatively is driven by a wide range of applications, including the next generation of sensors, “smart” capacitors, heterogeneous photocatalysts, self-healing and recyclable materials, and artificial muscles. Despite the great interest in this class 

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2535079
- **Awardee organization:** University of South Carolina at Columbia (SC)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** J22LNTMEDP73
- **PI:** Natalia Shustova
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Optics and Photonics, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
- **Estimated total:** $539,895
- **Funds obligated:** $539,895
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2535079

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2535079, Hybrid Well-Defined Stimuli-Responsive Materials. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2535079. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*