Shape memory polymers for biomedical applications

This talk examines the structure, thermo-mechanics, and biomedical applications of shape memory polymers. Shape memory polymers possess the capacity to recover permanent strains on the order of 50 to 400% when subjected to unique thermo-mechanical loading cycles. The talk begins by introducing the shape memory effect in polymers, followed by a discussion of emerging biomedical applications. After this introduction, the structural requirements in shape memory polymers and basic characterization of both tert-Butyl acrylate and epoxy-based shape memory polymer networks are presented. Following this, the thermo-mechanical behavior of shape memory polymers is discussed. Finally, a preliminary constitutive model is developed based on the observed thermomechanics and the micro-mechanisms of shape memory. The talk ends with succinct conclusions and a discussion of future research directions.