Abstract: A polymer blend is provided, comprising or consisting of: (A) a first polymer component, being a copolymer having a substantially random, partially blocky structure and selected from poly[(L-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)] and poly[(D-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)] and (B) a second polymer component different from the first polymer component (A) selected from poly(L-lactide), poly(D-lactide), poly[(L-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)] and poly[(D-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)], wherein the first and second polymer components (A) and (B) are selected such that the resulting polymer blend comprises a combination of constitution units derived from L-lactide and constitution units derived from D-lactide. The highly elastic material may be processed by electrospinning to produce elastic porous objects having a non-woven fibrous structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a surface-functionalised polymeric object (10), comprising: a bulk material (11) comprising a copolymer containing constitution units derived from a first comonomer and constitution units derived from a second comonomer, the first comonomer being selected from L-lactide and D-lactide and forming sequences of oligo(L-lactide) or oligo(D-lactide) in the copolymer the copolymer having a substantially random, partially blocky structure with a dyad ratio of (lactide-lactide)-dyads to (lactide-second comonomer)-dyads of at least 2.

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: A polymer blend is provided, comprising or consisting of: (A) a first polymer component, being a copolymer having a substantially random, partially blocky structure and selected from poly[(L-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)] and poly[(D-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)] and (B) a second polymer component different from the first polymer component (A) selected from poly(L-lactide), poly(D-lactide), poly[(L-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)] and poly[(D-lactide)-co-(£-caprolactone)], wherein the first and second polymer components (A) and (B) are selected such that the resulting polymer blend comprises a combination of constitution units derived from L-lactide and constitution units derived from D-lactide. The highly elastic material may be processed by electrospinning to produce elastic porous objects having a non-woven fibrous structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a surface-functionalised polymeric object (10), comprising: a bulk material (11) comprising a copolymer containing constitution units derived from a first comonomer and constitution units derived from a second comonomer, the first comonomer being selected from L-lactide and D-lactide and forming sequences of oligo(L-lactide) or oligo(D-lactide) in the copolymer the copolymer having a substantially random, partially blocky structure with a dyad ratio of (lactide-lactide)-dyads to (lactide-second comonomer)-dyads of at least 2.

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 is related to novel preparative methods to a novel class of polymer network materials with a highly branched poly(glycidyl ether) (PGE) structure. Said polymer networks are prepared by a simple procedure involving ring-opening polymerisation and the method is applicable to a wide range of glycidyl ether containing monomers. The method comprises the step of copolymerising (A) at least one multi-topic glycidyl ether comprising at least three glycidyl ether groups with (B) at least one glycidyl ether component comprising at least one glycidyl ether group by ring opening polymerisation, wherein the multi-topic glycidyl ether (A) is glycerol glycidyl ether (GGE) having the Formula (I) and the glycidyl ether component (B) is selected from monoglycidyl ethers comprising one glycidyl ether group and diglycidyl ethers comprising two glycidyl ether groups.

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 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 present invention is related to novel preparative methods to a novel class of polymer network materials with a highly branched poly(glycidyl ether) (PGE) structure. Said polymer networks are prepared by a simple procedure involving ring-opening polymerisation and the method is applicable to a wide range of glycidyl ether containing monomers. The method comprises the step of copolymerising (A) at least one multi-topic glycidyl ether comprising at least three glycidyl ether groups with (B) at least one glycidyl ether component comprising at least one glycidyl ether group by ring opening polymerisation, wherein the multi-topic glycidyl ether (A) is glycerol glycidyl ether (GGE) having the Formula (I) and the glycidyl ether component (B) is selected from monoglycidyl ethers comprising one glycidyl ether group and diglycidyl ethers comprising two glycidyl ether groups.

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 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 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: Described herein are a group of degradable, thermoplastic polymers, which are able to change their shape after an increase temperature. Their shape memory capability enables bulky implants to be placed in the body through small incisions or to perform complex mechanical deformations automatically. The shape memory polymers are preferably biocompatible and can be biodegradable or non-degradable polymers. Preferably, the biodegradable polymer has a linear degradation rate. In a specifically preferred embodiment, the suture is formed of biodegradable polymer capable of forming a self-tightening knot. In a most preferred embodiment, the suture is used to close a wound or body scission.

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 amorphous photosensitive networks. The networks are characterized by good shape memory properties.