Shape-memory polymers (SMP) are a unique branch of the smart materials family which are capable of changing shape on-demand upon exposure to external stimulus. The discovery of SMP made a significant breakthrough in the developments of novel smart materials for a variety of engineering applications, superseded the traditional materials, and also influenced the current methods of product designing. This book provides the latest advanced information of on-going research domains of SMP. This will certainly enlighten the reader to the achievements and tremendous potentials of SMP. The basic fundamentals of SMP, including shape-memory mechanisms and mechanics are described. This will aid reader to become more familiar with SMP and the basic concepts, thus guiding them in undergoing independent research in the SMP field. The book also provides the reader with associated challenges and existing application problems of SMP. This could assist the reader to focus more on these issues and further exploit their knowledge to look for innovative solutions. Future outlooks of SMP research are discussed as well. This book should prove to be extremely useful for academics, R&D managers, researcher scientists, engineers, and all others related to the SMP research.

This book is devoted to the development of the shape memory materials and their applications. It covers many aspects of smart materials. It also describes the method on how we can obtain not only large recovery strains but also high recovery stress, energy storage and energy dissipation in applications. This volume treats the mechanical properties of shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers and the constitutive equations of the materials which are necessary to design the shape memory elements in applications. It also deals with the fatigue properties of materials, the method to design the shape memory elements, and the shape memory composites. The authors are international experts on shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers in the metallurgical, chemical, mechanical and engineering fields. The book will be of interest to graduate students, engineers, scientists and designers who are working in the field of electric and mechanical engineering, industries, medical engineering, aerospace engineering, robots, automatic machines, clothes and recycling for research, design and manufacturing.

This book explores the recent advances in the field of shape memory polymers, whose ease of manufacturing and wide range of potential applications have spurred interest in the field. The book presents details about the synthesis, processing, characterization, and applications of shape memory polymers, their blends and composites. It provides a correlation of physical properties of shape memory polymers with macro, micro and nano structures. The contents of this book will be of interest to researchers across academia and industry.

Table of Contents -Shape-Memory Polymers and Shape-Changing Polymers By M. Behl, J. Zotzmann, and A. Lendlein -Shape-Memory Polymer Composites By Samy A. Madbouly and Andreas Lendlein -Characterization Methods for Shape-Memory Polymers By W. Wagermaier, K. Kratz, M. Heuchel, and A. Lendlein -Shape-Memory Polymers for Biomedical Applications By Christopher M. Yakacki and Ken Gall -Controlled Drug Release from Biodegradable Shape-Memory Polymers By ChristianWischke, Axel T. Neffe, and Andreas Lendlein

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are an emerging class of smart polymers which give scientists the ability to process the material into a permanent state and predefine a second temporary state which can be triggered by different stimuli. The changing chemistries of SMPs allows scientists to tailor important properties such as strength, stiffness, elasticity and expansion rate. Consequently SMPs are being increasingly used and developed for minimally invasive applications where the material can expand and develop post insertion. This book will provide readers with a comprehensive review of shape memory polymer technologies. Part 1 will discuss the fundamentals and mechanical aspects of SMPs. Chapters in part 2 will look at the range of technologies and materials available for scientific manipulation whilst the final set of chapters will review applications. - Reviews the fundamentals of shape memory polymers with chapters focussing on the basic principles of the materials - Comprehensive coverage of design and mechanical aspects of SMPs - Expert analysis of the range of technologies and materials available for scientific manipulation

Shape memory materials are immensely useful because of their capability to recover their original shapes upon exposure to an external stimulus such as heat, moisture, light or a magnetic field. This book reviews key recent research in shape memory polymers, their properties and applications. Topics include the relationship between morphological structures and shape memory properties; high performance Tg and Tm type shape memory polymers; structures of shape memory polymers with supramolecular switches; and the thermally-active and moisture-active shape memory effect of supermolecular shape memory polymers.Advances in shape memory polymers is an essential reference for polymer and textile material students, scientists, designers, engineers and manufacturers. It is also an invaluable guide for professionals in the biomedical, electronics and engineering industries. - Reviews key recent research in shape-memory polymers, their properties and applications - Opening chapters address the relationship between morphological structures and shape memory properties and high performance Tg and Tm type shape memory polymers - Chapters cover thermally-active and moisture-active shape memory effect of supermolecular shape memory polymers, among other topics