Abstract: The present invention provides an article with at least one switching segment. The switching segment comprises a shape-memory compound and an isolating region surrounding the shape memory compound. The present invention also provides a method of producing such an article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a programmed shape memory polymer, which assumes a first temporary shape and at least two additional stored thermally activatable shapes, namely at least one second temporary shape and a permanent shape, with the steps of: (a) providing a shape memory polymer which has at least two switching segments (A, B), which through phase segregation each form a switching phase having each a corresponding transition temperature (TtransA, TtransB), (b) deforming the shape memory polymer into a shape corresponding to the first temporary shape at a temperature above the upper transition temperature (TtransA), and (c) cooling to a temperature below the lower transition temperature (TtransB) by fixing the first temporary shape. The method of the invention provides a one-step programming method for a triple-shape plastic material.

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 present invention concerns shape memory materials comprising polyelectrolyte segments. These segments can be used for fixing a permanent shape and/or such segments can also be employed as switching segments responsible for the fixation and release of the temporary shape.

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: 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 present invention related to amorphous photosensitive networks. The networks are characterized by good shape memory properties.

Abstract: Described herein are a group of degradable, thermoplastic polymers, which are able to change their shape after an increase in 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 drug release system is disclosed comprising a laminate structure comprising at least one layer comprising a matrix made from a shape memory material and at least one drug dispersed in the matrix, and layers from a shape memory material not containing a drug and sandwiching the at least one layer comprising the drug(s) on both surfaces, wherein the shape memory material of the layers not containing a drug, after triggering of the shape memory effect, controls the release rate of the drug(s). Another embodiment comprises at least one drug, a reservoir for receiving the drug(s), and at least one of a coating and a membrane closing the reservoir, wherein one of a material for the reservoir and a material for the coating or membrane is made from a shape memory material and wherein the shape memory material, after triggering the shape memory effect, controls the rate of release of the drug(s).

Abstract: The present invention concerns shape memory composites, methods of preparing same and the use of these composites, for example, for products prepared by injection molding techniques or coating applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shape memory polymer, to a process for its production and to a process for its programming. The inventive shape memory polymer has at least two switching segments with different transition temperatures (Ttrans,1, Ttrans,2) such that the polymer, depending on the temperature, as well as a permanent shape (PF), can also assume at least two temporary shapes (TF1, TF2). The first switching segment is based essentially on a polyester of the general formula (I) where n=1 . . . 6 or a copolyester of the general formula (I) with different n or a derivative thereof. The second switching segment is based essentially on a polyacrylate of the general formula (II) in which R is H or CH3, and R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or aliphatic, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C10 radical.

Abstract: The present invention concerns shape memory materials comprising polyelectrolyte segments. These segments can be used for fixing a permanent shape and/or such segments can also be employed as switching segments responsible for the fixation and release of the temporary shape.

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 present invention provides an article with at least one switching segment. The switching segment comprises a shape-memory compound and an isolating region surrounding the shape memory compound. The present invention also provides a method of producing such an article.

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 present invention related to amorphous photosensitive networks. The networks are characterized by good shape memory properties.

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 invention relates to particles which exhibit a stimulable shape change and allow control of their uptake in active cells. The particles can be used as carrier systems for bioactive molecules or as diagnostic agents, and the spherical shape thereof has a size permitting uptake in a cell. Each particle assumes a temporary, non-spherical and thus non-uptakeable or only slightly uptakeable shape which can be transformed into a spherical and thus uptakeable shape by a suitable stimulus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multiblock copolymer with shape memory properties and a synthetic precursor of the multiblock copolymer 1. The multiblock copolymer contains: (i) a poly(depsipeptide) segment with an average molecular weight MW in the range of 1,000 to 20,000 g/mol; and (ii) a poly(?-caprolactone) segment with an average molecular weight MW in the range of 1,000 to 10,000 g/mol.