Research in this area currently focuses on two themes. In one theme, we aim to control catalytic activity of latent transition metal complexes and organocatalysts through macroscopic mechanical forces. In particular the mechanical activation of polymerization catalysts holds promise as a novel mechanism of self-healing in polymeric materials. The second theme is concerned with mechanically control over optical phenomena. The use of strong and tunable mechanically induced luminescence is being explored as a tool in the study of mechanical failure of polymeric materials.