Abstract : In many materials applications it is highly desirable to design and control the properties and behavior of surfaces. The task of modifying surfaces to control properties is a daunting one because many surface characteristics are related to the nature of chemical and physical structure on a molecular level. The overall goal of this research is to develop new methods for the molecular design and fabrication of smart surfaces with properties that can be controlled by exposure to light of appropriate wavelength. The approach involves the synthesis of smart molecules.