Small molecular logic systems can draw the outlines of objects via edge visualization

Chem Sci. 2015 Aug 1;6(8):4472-4478. doi: 10.1039/c5sc01537e. Epub 2015 Jun 12.

Abstract

The recently-discovered ability of small logical molecules to recognize edges is exploited to achieve outline drawing from binary templates. Outlines of arbitrary curvature, several colours and thicknesses down to 1 mm are drawn in around 30 min or less by employing a common laboratory two-colour ultraviolet lamp. The outlines and the light dose-driven XOR logic with fluorescence output or 'off-on-off' action which is observed in the irradiated regions are modelled by combining foundational principles of photochemistry, acid-base neutralization and diffusion.