Merck, 915556-1G, HNMB

Application
HNMB is a mechanochromic luminescent material with aggregation-induced emission (AIE). It has applications for pressure sensing and mapping.
In biology, pressure could direct the folding-unfolding of protein molecules, guide blood stream and even control the cell migration. The complexity with these cases makes the monitor and measurement of pressure from conventional force sensor based on classical mechanics impractical. Based on mechanical sensitive materials with ingenious design at the molecular level, a new way to detect pressure is developed. And mechanochromic luminescent (MCL) materials have formed a vital part of such materials. They are intentionally endowed with the ability to change luminescence property (e.g., emission wavelength, emission intensity and lifetime) under mechanical force, which can be readily detected by naked eyes or instruments. As molecule-based sensors, they are compatible to various flexible substrates and arbitrarily curvilinear surfaces, facilitating many applications.