Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a lactide-based, biodegradable (biocompatible), physically cross-linked and highly elastic polymer system. The method comprises the steps of: preparing a melt of a copolymer based on a first comonomer and at least one second comonomer, the first comonomer being selected from L-lactide and D-lactide; and adding a lactide-containing stereocomplex forming agent to the melt, wherein the stereocomplex forming agent is selected such that the resulting polymer system comprises a combination of constitution units derived from L-lactide and constitution units derived from D-lactide forming stereocomplexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article consisting of or comprising a bidirectional shape-memory polymer (bSMP), the bSMP comprising: first phase-segregated domains (AD) having a first transition temperature (Tt,AD) corresponding to a crystallization transition or glass transition of the first domains (AD), second phase-segregated domains (SD) having a second transition temperature (Tt,AD) corresponding to a crystallization transition or glass transition of the second domains (SD), the second transition temperature (Tt,SD) being higher than the first transition temperature (Tt,AD), and covalent or physical bonds cross-linking the polymer chains of the bSMP, and in this way interconnecting the first and second domains (AD, SD), wherein the second phase-separated domains (SD) form a skeleton which is at least partially embedded in the first phase-segregated domains (AD), and wherein polymer chain segments of the bSMP forming the first domains (AD) are substantially orientated in a common direction, such tha

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an actuator capable of being repeatedly and reversibly shifted between two freestanding shapes (A, B) under stress-free conditions upon varying a temperature between a temperature Tlow and a temperature Tsep.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for testing different selected materials and/or surface structures for the culture of cells and/or microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an actuator capable of being repeatedly and reversibly shifted between two freestanding shapes (A, B) under stress-free conditions upon varying a temperature between a temperature Tlow and a temperature Tsep.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article (10) made of a shape memory composite material (12) comprising a shape memory polymer (14) and a magnetic material (16) embedded therein, said shape memory polymer (14) after thermomechanical programming being capable of undergoing at least one temperature-induced transition from a temporary shape into a permanent shape, as well as to a method for the production thereof and a method for retrieving stored shapes. It is envisaged that the article (10) has at least two directly or indirectly interconnected sections (18, 20) which differ by a different surface-to-volume ratio (S/V).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article consisting of or comprising a bidirectional shape-memory polymer (bSMP), the bSMP comprising: first phase-segregated domains (AD) having a first transition temperature (Tt,AD) corresponding to a crystallization transition or glass transition of the first domains (AD), second phase-segregated domains (SD) having a second transition temperature (Tt,AD) corresponding to a crystallization transition or glass transition of the second domains (SD), the second transition temperature (Tt,SD) being higher than the first transition temperature (Tt,AD), and covalent or physical bonds cross-linking the polymer chains of the bSMP, and in this way interconnecting the first and second domains (AD, SD), wherein the second phase-separated domains (SD) form a skeleton which is at least partially embedded in the first phase-segregated domains (AD), and wherein polymer chain segments of the bSMP forming the first domains (AD) are substantially orientated in a common direction, such tha

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for programming a shape memory polymer, which comprises at least one switching segment having at least one thermal phase transition and covalent and/or non-covalent cross-linking points such that the shape memory polymer after the programming thereof is in a position to transition from a programmed temporary shape into the permanent shape thereof, following a temperature increase to a temperature that at least corresponds to a switching temperature (Tswitch, T?max).

Abstract: A method for restoring a programmed article which contains a shape memory composite material of at least one shape memory polymer network with thermally inducible triple shape properties, the method comprising subjecting the article to a magnetic alternating field and simultaneously to an external heat supply in order to trigger the restoration, wherein at least one of the parameters of magnetic field strength (H) and ambient temperature (TUmg) is increased continuously or discontinuously in such a way that the article first experiences a transition in shape from the first temporary shape (TF1) into the second temporary shape (TF2) and subsequently from the second temporary shape (TF2) into the permanent shape (PF).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for testing different selected materials and/or surface structures for the culture of cells and/or microorganisms, said method comprising the following steps: i) providing a plurality of different selected materials and/or surface structures to be tested in the form of beaker-shaped inserts, wherein the beaker-shaped inserts are dimensioned in such a way that a beaker-shaped insert can be inserted in a substantially accurately fitting manner into a well of a multiwell plate suitable for cell culture, wherein each beaker-shaped insert has walls, a base, and an opening in the side facing away from the base, wherein the walls and base of the beaker-shaped inserts are liquid-tight, and wherein each beaker-shaped insert has a selected material and/or a selected surface structure, at least on the inner face of the base; ii) inserting the beaker-shaped inserts into wells of multiwell plates of appropriate dimensioning so that the outer face of the beaker base points towards

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded foam body having anisotropic shape memory properties, to a method for manufacturing such a molded foam body and to an article, which contains or is composed of such a molded foam body. The molded foam body according to the invention comprises at least one shape memory polymer, which forms a foam structure having asymmetric pores oriented substantially in a common, first spatial direction (L). Said molded foam body is manufactured by foaming the polymer by means of the release of a gaseous propellant under conditions that promote the release and the escape of the propellant from the polymer substantially in a main flow direction. Following thermomechanical programming, such a shape memory foam exhibits a direction-dependent level of recovery and recovery forces when reheated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for programming a shape memory polymer, which comprises at least one switching segment having at least one thermal phase transition and covalent and/or non-covalent cross-linking points such that the shape memory polymer after the programming thereof is in a position to transition from a programmed temporary shape into the permanent shape thereof, following a temperature increase to a temperature that at least corresponds to a switching temperature (Tswitch, T?max).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for restoring a programmed article which contains, at least over portions, a shape memory composite material, said composite material comprising (i) at least one shape memory polymer network with thermally inducible triple shape properties which comprises at least one first phase-separated switching segment with a first transition temperature (Ttrans,1) and a second phase-separated switching segment with a second transition temperature (Ttrans,2, where Ttrans,1<Ttrans,2) and at least one type of covalent and/or non-covalent netpoints, and ii) a magnetic material embedded in the shape memory polymer, wherein, after a thermo-mechanical programming process, the article being present in a first temporary shape (TF1) and having stored a second temporary shape (TF2) and a permanent shape (PF).

Abstract: The invention relates to an article (10) made of a shape memory composite material (12) comprising a shape memory polymer (14) and a magnetic material (16) embedded therein, said shape memory polymer (14) after thermomechanical programming being capable of undergoing at least one temperature-induced transition from a temporary shape into a permanent shape, as well as to a method for the production thereof and a method for retrieving stored shapes. It is envisaged that the article (10) has at least two directly or indirectly interconnected sections (18, 20) which differ by a different surface-to-volume ratio (S/V).

Abstract: The present invention concerns blends comprising at least one shape memory polymer and at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein this thermoplastic polymer does not show shape memory properties. The present invention furthermore concerns methods for preparing such blends and the use of these blends in various applications, including additional products, household equipment etc.

Abstract: A method for achieving a retrievable hair restyling is described. Here a composition is applied to the hair, said composition containing at least one first active ingredient or active ingredient complex which can provide a shape memory effect by itself or in combination with other substances after being applied to the hair and after the performance of the treatment of the hair according to the invention. The composition additionally contains at least one second active ingredient, namely a hydrophobic substance with a water solubility of ?5 percent by weight at 20° C. The hair is arranged into a given (permanent) shape and said permanent shape is then fixed by inducing a chemical or physical modification of the applied active ingredients, wherein after a wanted or unwanted deformation of the shape memory, the original shape memory can be restored by means of a physical stimulation. In addition to the permanent hairstyle, a second (temporary) shape can be impressed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described herein for reconstruction of different functional tissues. Dissociated cells, differentiated cells, adult mesenchymal stem cells or embryonic stem cells are seeded on a scaffold. The scaffold will consist of a biocompatible, biodegradable shape memory (“SM”) polymers. In addition bioactive substances may be incorporated in the scaffold. Thermoplastic as well as thermoset materials with SM-effect can be used. The shape memory effect will be applied as an interactive link between the cells and the used polymeric scaffold. The degradation kinetics as well as shape memory transition temperature will be tailored by adjusting to monomer ratios of the co-oligomers. The shape memory effect will be used to create a degradation or release of bioactive substances on demand, induce forces on seeded cells or induce proliferation and differentiation of cells.

Abstract: A method for producing a retrievable hairstyling using shape memory polymers is described. Here a composition is applied to the hair, said composition containing a shape memory polymer P or a macromer M that can be cross-linked to a shape memory polymer, the hair is arranged into a given (permanent) shape and said permanent shape is then fixed by means of chemical cross-linking of the macromer M under the formation of a shape memory polymer and/or under physical cross-linking of the polymer P. The polymer P and the macromer M are formed from block copolymers, each of which comprises at least a first block and at least two additional blocks. The first block is a polyol and is selected from polyethers, dimerdiol and derivatives derived therefrom, as well as from polyesters of dicarboxylic acids with diols. The additional blocks are polyesters of hydroxycarboxylic acids or their lactones.

Abstract: The present invention refers to stents for use in the non-vascular and vascular field, which comprise an SMP material.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition is described, said composition having a content of a block polymer having at least a first block, which block is a polyol selected from polyethers, dimerdiol, derivatives derived from dimerdiol and polyesters of dicarboxylic acids with diols and at least two additional blocks, which blocks are polyesters of hydroxycarboxylic acids or lactones thereof.