Bioperspectives for Shape-Memory Polymers as Shape Programmable, Active Materials

Abstract

Within the natural world, organisms use information stored in their material structure to generate a physical response to a wide variety of environmental changes. The ability to program synthetic materials to intrinsically respond to environmental changes in a similar manner has the potential to revolutionize material science. By designing polymeric devices capable of responsively changing shape or behavior based on information encoded into their structure, we can create functional physical behavior, including a shapememory and an actuation capability. Here we highlight the stimuli-responsiveness and shape-changing ability of biological materials and biopolymer-based materials, plus their potential biomedical application, providing a bioperspective on shape-memory materials. We address strategies to incorporate a shapememory (actuation) function in polymeric materials, conceptualized in terms of its relationship with inputs (environmental stimuli) and outputs (shape change). Challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of several functions in a single material body to achieve multifunctionality are discussed. Finally, we describe how elements that sense, convert, and transmit stimuli have been used to create multisensitive materials.

Strong, Self‐Healable, and Recyclable Visible‐Light‐Responsive Hydrogel Actuators

“…However, it remains a huge challenge because these material properties are usually realized by different molecular design strategies. Moreover, the introduction of new functionality could come at the cost of another desired property, for example high strength and self‐healing are usually opposing properties …”

Nano-Structured Lignin as Green Antioxidant and UV Shielding Ingredient for Sunscreen Applications

“…The low environmental impact of lignin extraction and purification technologies has been reported and discussed, focusing on the expected benefits of lignin as a high added value material [ 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Current and potential application of lignin has been reviewed [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], focusing on power fuel and syngas production (Fischer–Tropsch synthetic fuels), material science and fine-chemicals, specialties, and commodities preparation [ 57 , 58 ]. Lignin confers rigidity and microbiological and mechanical resistance to lignocellulosic materials [ 59 ].…”

Assessing the Influence of Temperature‐Memory Creation on the Degradation of Copolyesterurethanes in Ultrathin Films

“…The endeavor to imitate and surpass nature has led to the advent of stimuli sensitive and responsive materials. [1] One example from PDLCLs. [8] Whether or not enzymatic catalysis also plays a role in the degradation of PCL based implants is not yet clear.…”

“…The endeavor to imitate and surpass nature has led to the advent of stimuli sensitive and responsive materials. [ 1 ] One example are temperature‐memory polymers (TMP), which are able to execute a predetermined shape change when heated and exceeding a switching temperature T sw . T sw is determined by the temperature T deform applied during a preceding deformation step.…”