Controlled release of the more than 10 kcal/mol photochemically stored energy in the E configured isomer is possible upon solvent exchange, which makes this molecular setup a very interesting candidate for MOST applications. Another benefit of the enlarged conjugated systems of the photoproducts of 1 is its potential of generating and stabilizing radicals for photoinitiated polymerization of MA. Here we were able to demonstrate an up to 240% increase of light induced polymerization speed of MA compared to our first generation aza-diarylethene, which renders 1 also into a promising candidate for 3D printing applications. Our future efforts are i.a. headed in these applied directions.