Dolcera LLC Landscape Report On Shape Memory Polymer
About Shape Memory Polymer Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are polymer materials which may be returned from a deformed state to their original shape or "permanent configuration" via an external stimulus. The external stimulus is usually temperature, as in the case of thermally activated SMPs, but can also be the application of an electric or magnetic field, light or a change in pH. An SMP is an example of a smart material. Projected applications include self-adjusting orthodontic wires and selectively pliable tools for small scale surgical procedures where metal-based shape memory alloys such as Nitinol are widely used. Additional applications include self-repairing structural components, such as automobile fenders in which dents are repaired by application of heat.
About Shape Memory Polymer Shape memory polymers differ from shape memory alloys in that a glass transition from a hard to a soft phase is responsible for the effect rather than metallic Martensitic/Austenitic transitions. Polymers with shape memory have both a visible, current form and a stored, permanent form. Once the latter has been produced by conventional methods, the material is molded into a second, temporary form by skillful heating, deformation, and finally, cooling. The plastic maintains this shape until the permanent form is recalled by a predetermined external stimulus. The secret behind these materials lies in their molecular network structure, which contains meltable "switching segments." Raising the temperature activates the switching: the crystallized switching segments melt and the material resumes its original form. The materials are effectively visco-elastic and many models and analysis methods exist.
About Shape Memory Polymer After an undesired deformation, such as a dent in the fender, these plastics "remember" their original shape. Heating them both improves and activates their "memory." In this way, the dent could then be removed with a hair-dryer, for example. In this case, the important form is its undamaged original shape. The impact results in a temporary form, which changes back to the original form upon heating -- in effect, the plastic repairs itself. One of the first conceived industrial applications was in robotics where shape memory foams were used to provide initial soft prehension in gripping which could be subsequently hardened by cooling making a shape adaptive grip. Since then the materials have seen widespread usage in the building industry (foam which expands with warmth to seal window frames), sports wear (helmets, judo and karate suits) etc. and in some cases with thermochromic additives for ease of thermal profile observation
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List Of Control Patents US20070275020A1 US20070009465A1 US20060088494A1 US20050244353A1 US20080116415A1 US20080145428A1
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Scientific Literature Database : Scirus Search Date Range : 1900 - 2008 Search String : (("Shape memory polymer" OR "Shape memory polymers" OR "shape memory oligomer" OR " shape memory elastomer" OR " shapememory polymer")) No of Hits : 372 Dolcera patent dashboard for shape memory polymers
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