Dynamic molecular crystals have recently received ample attention as an emerging class of energy-transducing materials, yet have fallen short of developing into fully realized actuators. Through the trans–cis surface isomerization of three crystalline azobenzene materials, here, we set out to extensively characterize the light-to-work energy conversion of photoinduced bending in molecular crystals. We distinguish the azobenzene single crystals from commonly used actuators through quantitative performance evaluation and specific performance indices. Bending molecular crystals have an operating range comparable to that of microactuators such as microelectromechanical systems and a work-generating capacity and dynamic performance that qualifies them to substitute micromotor drivers in mechanical positioning and microgripping tasks. Finite element modeling, applied to determine the surface photoisomerization parameters, allowed for predicting and optimizing the mechanical response of these materials. Utilizing mechanical characterization and numerical simulation tools proves essential in accelerating the introduction of dynamic molecular crystals into soft microrobotics applications.

动态分子晶体作为一种新兴的能量转换材料最近受到了广泛的关注，但还没有发展成为完全实现的致动器。通过对反式-顺三种结晶偶氮苯材料的表面异构化，在这里，我们着手广泛表征分子晶体中光致弯曲的光到工作能量转换。通过定量性能评估和特定性能指标，我们将偶氮苯单晶与常用促动器区分开。弯曲分子晶体的工作范围可与微致动器（如微机电系统）相媲美，并且具有产生工作的能力和动态性能，使其有资格在机械定位和微抓紧任务中替代微电机驱动器。用于确定表面光异构化参数的有限元建模可以预测和优化这些材料的机械响应。