Abstract: An orthodontic teeth-straightener, comprising a splint element which contains, or is entirely made from, a thermoplastic polyurethane having shape-memory properties. The thermoplastic polyurethane having shape-memory properties is selected from the group of polyether polyurethanes and contains hard segments which contain polyurethane units that have been obtained by polyaddition of the isocyanate groups of a diisocyanate to the hydroxyl groups of a diol acting as a chain extender, thereby forming urethane groups. The polyether polyurethane also contains soft segments, which contain, or are entirely made from, polyether units in the form of polyalkylene glycols, wherein the polyether units are bonded to isocyanate end groups of the diisocyanate of the hard segments, thereby forming urethane groups with the hard segments. The thermoplastic polyether polyurethane is both thermo-responsive and water-responsive and thus gives the splint element dual-stimuli responsive shape-memory properties.

Abstract: A method for marking an item including a shape memory polymer (SMP) having a visual readable and/or machine readable graphic element on the surface of the item. The method includes pretreating the surface of the item; coloring the surface of the item with a dye solution containing an organic dye and an organic solvent; cleaning and drying the surface of the item; and engraving by at least partially ablating the surface of the item. The dyeing process is suitable for coloring the surface of a shape memory polymer (SMP), wherein the information is engraved in a form of a code or other label on the colored surface. The coloring causes an increased contrast and thus facilitates machine readability of marking and coding without affecting the other properties of the SMP.

Abstract: A method for marking an item including a shape memory polymer (SMP) having a visual readable and/or machine readable graphic element on the surface of the item. The method includes pretreating the surface of the item; colouring the surface of the item with a dye solution containing an organic dye and an organic solvent; cleaning and drying the surface of the item; and engraving by at least partially ablating the surface of the item. The dyeing process is suitable for colouring the surface of a shape memory polymer (SMP), wherein the information is engraved in a form of a code or other label on the coloured surface. The colouring causes an increased contrast and thus facilitates machine readability of marking and coding without affecting the other properties of the SMP.

Abstract: A device comprising a planar material and at least one support element which is connected to the planar material, wherein the at least one support element comprises at least one shape memory polymer, such that the device has a substantially flat shape in a first configuration of the at least one shape-memory polymer and a substantially domed shape in a second configuration of the shape-memory polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security label for identifying products comprising a layer comprising a shape memory polymer, wherein a surface profile comprising information for identifying the product is embossed in the layer and wherein the layer has a smooth surface in a first state and the layer has the embossed surface profile in a second state, wherein the security label is adapted such that the layer can be changed from the first or second state to the second or first state upon reading out the security label and to a connection means for connecting the layer to the product.