A team of scientists from Poland, Japan, and India has developed an innovative mechanochromic material that changes color in response to mechanical stress, opening new possibilities for structural monitoring and chemical applications. 

Smart materials react to environmental stimuli in predictable ways. In the case of mechanochromic materials, such as the described chemical compound, stress on the crystal causes a color change from a greenish-yellow to red. Importantly, the process is reversible—the original structure and color are restored when a solvent is added. 

Thanks to these properties, the material can function as a stress sensor in construction prototypes or robots, enabling early detection of dangerous deformations. It can also be used in warning paints that immediately change color in the presence of toxic fumes. 

The project was carried out through cooperation among three research centers. The synthesis of the compound was conducted by scientists in Japan, spectroscopic studies were performed by the team in India, and the Polish team from AGH, led by Prof. Konrad Szaciłowski, was responsible for theoretical modeling and molecular interaction analysis. 

The developed mechanochromic material represents an example of an innovative approach combining basic research with potential practical applications in industry, science, and technology.