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Polymers
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Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World
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Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2024) | Viewed by 5248

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Muhammad Yasar Razzaq

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut für Kunstofftechnologie und-Reycling e.V., 06369 Weißandt-Gölzau, Germany
Interests: stimuli-sensitive polymers; shape-memory polymers; self-healing polymers; vitrimers; hydrogels; polymer synthesis; characterization; structural composites; processing; additive manufaturing; flame retardant polymers and additives
Dr. Maria Balk

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Helmotz-Zentrum Hereon, Teltow, Germany
Interests: switching; hydrogel; shape memory polymer; crosslinking; polymers; copolymerization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs), with their ability to recover from mechanical deformations through exposure to an external stimulus, have attracted widespread attention, and their technological significance has become apparent for multiple applications in the material world. Recent developments in SMP research not only included the synthesis of novel molecular architectures with tailored performance and novel functions such as self-healing, recyclability and weldability, but also enabled the design of complicated structures and prototypes using modern fabrication techniques, such as additive manufacturing and electrospinning. The use of emerging fabrication techniques has broadened the application potential of these smart polymers to different areas, e.g., robotics, smart textiles, wearable electronics, satellite hinges, innovative electronics, aeromechanical sectors, defence sectors, etc.

This Special Issue aims to exhibit cutting-edge research in the field of SMPs, including their high tech applications and the following overlapping topics:

  • Smart multifunctional composites;
  • Applications of SMPs;
  • Four-dimensional printing of SMPs;
  • Shape-memory vitrimers;
  • Electrospinning of SMPs;
  • Actuators and sensors.

Reviews and regular original papers are all welcome.

Dr. Muhammad Yasar Razzaq
Dr. Maria Balk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • shape-memory polymers
  • 4D printing
  • multifunctional composites
  • shape-memory vitrimers
  • actuators and sensors
  • electrospinning of smart fibres

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 6497 KiB  
Article
4D-Printed Tool for Compressing a Shape Memory Polyurethane Foam during Programming
by Dilip Chalissery and Thorsten Pretsch
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101393 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 1319
Abstract
Although several force application concepts are known that can be used to deform shape memory polymers (SMPs) within the scope of programming, controlled deformation is challenging in the case of samples with a cylinder-like shape, which need to be homogeneously compressed starting from [...] Read more.
Although several force application concepts are known that can be used to deform shape memory polymers (SMPs) within the scope of programming, controlled deformation is challenging in the case of samples with a cylinder-like shape, which need to be homogeneously compressed starting from the lateral surface. To solve this problem, this contribution follows a material approach that takes advantage of four-dimensional (4D) printing. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) was used as an additive manufacturing (AM) technique to produce a thermoresponsive tool in a cylindrical shape from a polyether urethane (PEU) having a glass transition temperature (Tg) close to 55 °C, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Once it was 4D-printed, a sample of laser cut polyester urethane urea (PEUU) foam with a cylindrical wall was placed inside of it. Subsequent heating to 75 °C and keeping that temperature constant for 15 min resulted in the compression of the foam, because the internal stresses of the PEU were transferred to the PEUU, whose soft segments were completely molten at 65 °C as verified by DSC. Upon cooling to −15 °C and thus below the offset temperature of the soft segment crystallization transition of the PEUU, the foam was fixed in its new shape. After 900 days of storage at temperatures close to 23 °C, the foam recovered its original shape upon reheating to 75 °C. In another experiment, a 4D-printed cylinder was put into hibernation for 900 days before its thermoresponsiveness was investigated. In the future, 4D-printed tools may be produced in many geometries, which fit well to the shapes of the SMPs to be programmed. Beyond programming SMP foams, transferring the forces released by 4D-printed tools to other programmable materials can further expand technical possibilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World)
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23 pages, 5529 KiB  
Article
Enhancing the Thermal Performance of Shape Memory Polymers: Designing a Minichannel Structure
by Saed Beshkoofe, Majid Baniassadi, Alireza Mahdavi Nejad, Azadeh Sheidaei and Mostafa Baghani
Polymers 2024, 16(4), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040500 - 11 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1075
Abstract
This research proposes a numerical approach to improve the thermal performance of shape memory polymers (SMPs) while their mechanical properties remain intact. Sixteen different 3D minichannel structures were numerically designed to investigate the impact of embedded water flow in microchannel networks on the [...] Read more.
This research proposes a numerical approach to improve the thermal performance of shape memory polymers (SMPs) while their mechanical properties remain intact. Sixteen different 3D minichannel structures were numerically designed to investigate the impact of embedded water flow in microchannel networks on the thermal response and shape recovery of SMPs. This work employs two approaches, each with different physics: approach A focuses on solid mechanics analysis and, accordingly, thermal analysis in solids without considering the fluid. approach B tackles solid and fluid mechanics analysis and thermal analysis in both solid and fluid subdomains, which inherently calls for fluid–structure coupling in a uniform procedure. Finally, the results of these two approaches are compared to predict the SMP’s thermal and mechanical behavior. The structural designs are then analyzed in terms of their shape recovery speed, recovery ratio, and recovery parameters. The results indicate that isotropic structures thermally outperform their anisotropic counterparts, exhibiting improved thermal characteristics and faster shape recovery. Additionally, it was observed that polymeric structures with a low volume fraction of embedded branches thermally perform efficiently. The findings of this study predict that the geometrical angle between the main branch and sub-branches of SMP favorably impacts the enhancement of thermal characteristics of the structure, accelerating its shape recovery. Approach B accelerates the shape recovery rate in SMPs due to fluid flow and uniform heat transfer within the structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World)
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Review

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30 pages, 6101 KiB  
Review
From Nature to Technology: Exploring Bioinspired Polymer Actuators via Electrospinning
by Muhammad Yasar Razzaq, Maria Balk, Magdalena Mazurek-Budzyńska and Anke Schadewald
Polymers 2023, 15(19), 4029; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15194029 - 9 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2051
Abstract
Nature has always been a source of inspiration for the development of novel materials and devices. In particular, polymer actuators that mimic the movements and functions of natural organisms have been of great interest due to their potential applications in various fields, such [...] Read more.
Nature has always been a source of inspiration for the development of novel materials and devices. In particular, polymer actuators that mimic the movements and functions of natural organisms have been of great interest due to their potential applications in various fields, such as biomedical engineering, soft robotics, and energy harvesting. During recent years, the development and actuation performance of electrospun fibrous meshes with the advantages of high permeability, surface area, and easy functional modification, has received extensive attention from researchers. This review covers the recent progress in the state-of-the-art electrospun actuators based on commonly used polymers such as stimuli-sensitive hydrogels, shape-memory polymers (SMPs), and electroactive polymers. The design strategies inspired by nature such as hierarchical systems, layered structures, and responsive interfaces to enhance the performance and functionality of these actuators, including the role of biomimicry to create devices that mimic the behavior of natural organisms, are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future directions in the field, with a focus on the development of more efficient and versatile electrospun polymer actuators which can be used in a wide range of applications, are addressed. The insights gained from this review can contribute to the development of advanced and multifunctional actuators with improved performance and expanded application possibilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World)
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