An unconventional Approach to Programming of a Shape Memory Polymer

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are able to retain a temporary shape after thermomechanical treatment known as programming. Once exposed to an external stimulus, most commonly an increase in temperature, the original shape is almost completely recovered. Traditional programming methods necessitate an infrastructure with devices for temperature conditioning and controlled force application and release. An example of this is a universal testing machine with a temperature chamber.

Here, we present an approach based on four-dimensional (4D) printing, an additive manufacturing technique, that enables the fabrication of thermoresponsive objects, which may simplify the programming of SMPs in the future.

Presentation language: ENG