Shape memory polymers (SMPs), as a class of programmable stimuliresponsive shape changing polymers, are attracting increasing attention from the standpoint of both fundamental research and technological innovations. Following a brief introduction of the conventional shape memory effect (SME), progress in new shape memory enabling mechanisms and triggering methods, variations of in shape memory forms (shape memory surfaces, hydrogels, and microparticles), new shape memory behavior (multi-SME and two-way-SME), and novel fabrication methods are reviewed. Progress in thermomechanical modeling of SMPs is also presented.
Abbreviations:SCPs shape changing polymers; LCEs liquid crystalline elastomers; SMP shape memory polymer; SME shape memory effect; 2W two-way; 1W oneway; T trans transition temperature; T g glass transition temperature; T m melting temperature; T cl liquid crystal cleaning temperature; T d deformation temperature; T f shape fixing temperature; T c crystallization temperature; R f shape stability ratio; R r shape recovery ratio; T sw switching temperature; ε max maximum recoverable strain; σ max maximum recovery stress; SMC shape memory cycle; ε load strain under load; ε fixed strain; T r recovery Page 2 of 106 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 2 temperature; ε rec recovered strain; V r strain recovery rate; T σmax temperature corresponding to σ max ; T sw,app apparent switching temperature; PCL poly(ε-caprolactone); SMPU shape memory polyurethane; EMU elemental memory unit; TME temperature memory effect; PU polyurethane; T i liquid-crystal isotropic transition temperature; T v vitrification temperature; CIE crystallization induced elongation; MIC melting induced contraction