Shape Memory Polymer Demo

Science
Shape Memory Polymer Demo
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Shape-memory metals get a fair amount of attention, but shape memory polymers exist, too. In fact, heat-shrink tubing is a familiar example of a simple shape-memory effect in a polymer. This video uploaded by MIT researcher Vikas Srivastava back in 2009 is a more impressive demonstration of heat-induced shape recovery. The plastic material is tBA / PEGDMA, which has a shape-change temperature that is close to human body temperature. It’s under investigation for use in medical implants. The referenced paper is freely available as a PDF.

4 thoughts on “Shape Memory Polymer Demo

    1. Sean Ragan says:

      It isn’t supposed to be news, Mark. That’s what the “skill builder” badge means.

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I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

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