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 invention relates to a polymer network with triple-shape-memory effect and an associated programming method. The invention also relates to a method for producing layer systems made of shape-memory materials comprising the polymer network. The polymer network includes A) a first crystalline switching segment made of a star polymer; and B) a second crystalline switching segment made of a linear polymer or a star polymer.

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 polymer network with triple-shape-memory effect and an associated programming method. The invention also relates to a method for producing layer systems made of shape-memory materials comprising the polymer network. The polymer network includes A) a first crystalline switching segment made of a star polymer; and B) a second crystalline switching segment made of a linear polymer or a star polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer network with triple-shape-memory effect and an associated programming method. The invention also relates to a method for producing layer systems made of shape-memory materials comprising the polymer network. The polymer network includes A) a first crystalline switching segment made of a star polymer; and B) a second crystalline switching segment made of a linear polymer or a star polymer.

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 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 a polymer network with triple-shape-memory effect and an associated programming method. The invention also relates to a method for producing layer systems made of shape-memory materials comprising the polymer network. The polymer network includes A) a first crystalline switching segment made of a star polymer; and B) a second crystalline switching segment made of a linear polymer or a star polymer.

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).