Abstract: One method of forming a part includes deforming a shape memory polymer from a permanent shape into a temporary shape, where the permanent shape of the shape memory polymer is a predetermined part shape and the temporary shape is a shape larger than the predetermined part shape. The shape memory polymer in each of the permanent shape and the temporary shape defines a cavity therein. The method further includes introducing a molding material into the cavity of the shape memory polymer, and reverting the shape memory polymer back into its permanent shape. Other methods for forming the part are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for making a preform includes creating a pressure differential between an inside and an outside of a perforated shape memory polymer mandrel in its temporary shape. The pressure differential is such that pressure outside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel is greater than pressure inside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The perforated shape memory polymer mandrel has i) a predetermined preform shape as the temporary shape and ii) a shrunken shape as its permanent shape, wherein the shrunken shape is configured such that it is removable from the predetermined preform shape. The method further includes depositing, as the pressure differential is maintained, at least one material onto a surface of the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The at least one material is set in the predetermined preform shape, thereby forming the preform.

Abstract: Packaging and de-packaging methods using shape memory polymers are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the packaging method involves placing a part adjacent to shape memory polymer in its permanent shape, heating the shape memory polymer to a temperature above its switching temperature, and applying a force to the heated shape memory polymer such that the polymer switches from its permanent shape into a temporary shape. The temporary shape of the shape memory polymer conforms to at least one of i) a shape of the part, or ii) a desired shape for packaging the part. The method further includes cooling the shape memory polymer to a temperature below its switching temperature to set the temporary shape.

Abstract: A medical cast and methods of using the same are disclosed. The method of making includes providing a shape memory polymer (SMP) in a permanent shape which corresponds to a limb's general shape but has a diameter smaller than the limb's diameter. The SMP is converted from the permanent shape into a primary temporary shape, which has a diameter larger than both a diameter of the permanent shape and a diameter of the limb. The limb is at least partially surrounded with the SMP in its primary temporary shape. The SMP is then heated, which causes the primary temporary shape to i) attempt to revert to the permanent shape, and ii) conform to a secondary temporary shape having a diameter smaller than that of the primary temporary shape and larger than that of the permanent shape. The SMP in the secondary temporary shape conforms to the limb.

Abstract: A defrosting or defogging structure includes at least one optically transparent member and an optically transparent composite laminated to the optically transparent member(s). The optically transparent composite includes a thermally and electrically conductive filler material embedded in a polymer matrix. The filler material has at least one dimension on the nanoscale. The optically transparent composite is configured to heat the optically transparent member(s) when an electric current is applied thereto.

Abstract: Shape memory main-chain smectic-C elastomers are described, as are methods for their preparation and monomers used in such methods. The elastomers are prepared by hydrosilylation of a reaction mixture including a liquid crystalline diene, a crosslinking agent, and a bis(silyl hydride) compound. The elastomers exhibit shape-memory properties and spontaneously reversible shape changes. They are useful for fabrication of shape memory articles including, for example, implantable medical devices, contact lenses, reversible embossing media, and Fresnel lenses.

Abstract: One method of forming a part includes deforming a shape memory polymer from a permanent shape into a temporary shape, where the permanent shape of the shape memory polymer is a predetermined part shape and the temporary shape is a shape larger than the predetermined part shape. The shape memory polymer in each of the permanent shape and the temporary shape defines a cavity therein. The method further includes introducing a molding material into the cavity of the shape memory polymer, and reverting the shape memory polymer back into its permanent shape. Other methods for forming the part are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method includes providing a shape memory polymer in a permanent shape, where the permanent shape is at least part of a predetermined part shape, converting the shape memory polymer from the permanent shape into a temporary shape, where the temporary shape is more open than the permanent shape. The method further includes spraying a material onto at least one surface of the shape memory polymer in its temporary shape and reverting the shape memory polymer, having the material on the at least one surface, back to the permanent shape.

Abstract: A method for making a preform includes creating a pressure differential between an inside and an outside of a perforated shape memory polymer mandrel in its temporary shape. The pressure differential is such that pressure outside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel is greater than pressure inside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The perforated shape memory polymer mandrel has i) a predetermined preform shape as the temporary shape and ii) a shrunken shape as its permanent shape, wherein the shrunken shape is configured such that it is removable from the predetermined preform shape. The method further includes depositing, as the pressure differential is maintained, at least one material onto a surface of the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The at least one material is set in the predetermined preform shape, thereby forming the preform.

Abstract: A method of forming a part with a feature having a die-locked geometry is disclosed herein. A molding tool used in the method includes at least one die having a cavity defined in a surface thereof, and a protrusion formed in the cavity. The method includes disposing a shape memory polymer insert on the protrusion, where the shape memory polymer insert has i) the die-locked geometry as its temporary shape, and ii) a geometry that is removable from the die-locked geometry as its permanent shape. A material is established in the cavity such that at least a portion of the material conforms to the die-locked geometry, thereby forming the part having the feature with the at least one die-locked geometry.

Abstract: A molding method includes inserting a preform having a predetermined part shape into an external mold having the predetermined part shape. The preform has therein a perforated shape memory polymer mandrel in its temporary shape, and a bladder positioned within the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The shape memory polymer mandrel has i) the predetermined part shape as the temporary shape and ii) a shrunken shape as its permanent shape, wherein the shrunken shape is configured such that it is removable from the predetermined part shape. The method further includes configuring the bladder such that it substantially blocks perforations of the mandrel in its temporary shape, injecting resin into the external mold between an inner surface of the external mold and an outer surface of the preform such that the resin impregnates the preform, and curing the injected resin, thereby forming a molded part.

Abstract: Shape memory main-chain smectic-C elastomers are described. The elastomers are prepared by hydrosilylation of a reaction mixture including a liquid crystalline diene, a crosslinking agent, and a bis(silyl hydride) compound. The elastomers exhibit shape-memory properties and spontaneously reversible shape changes. They are useful for fabrication of shape memory articles including, for example, implantable medical devices, contact lenses, reversible embossing media, and Fresnel lenses.

Abstract: Shape memory main-chain smectic-C elastomers are described, as are methods for their preparation and monomers used in such methods. The elastomers are prepared by hydrosilylation of a reaction mixture including a liquid crystalline diene, a crosslinking agent, and a bis(silyl hydride) compound. The elastomers exhibit shape-memory properties and spontaneously reversible shape changes. They are useful for fabrication of shape memory articles including, for example, implantable medical devices, contact lenses, reversible embossing media, and Fresnel lenses.

Abstract: Shape memory main-chain smectic-C elastomers are described. The elastomers are prepared by hydrosilylation of a reaction mixture including a liquid crystalline diene, a crosslinking agent, and a bis(silyl hydride) compound. The elastomers exhibit shape-memory properties and spontaneously reversible shape changes. They are useful for fabrication of shape memory articles including, for example, implantable medical devices, contact lenses, reversible embossing media, and Fresnel lenses.