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Controlling the Actuation Rate of Low‐Density Shape‐Memory Polymer Foams in Water
Author(s) -
Singhal Pooja,
Boyle Anthony,
Brooks Marilyn L.,
Infanger Stephen,
Letts Steve,
Small Ward,
Maitland Duncan J.,
Wilson Thomas S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200342
Subject(s) - polyurethane , shape memory polymer , moisture , materials science , polymer , plasticizer , composite material , chemical engineering , water content , actuator , nanotechnology , computer science , engineering , geotechnical engineering , artificial intelligence
Abstract SMPs have been shown to actuate below their dry glass transition temperatures in the presence of moisture due to plasticization. This behavior has been proposed as a self‐actuating mechanism of SMPs in water/physiological media. However, control over the SMP actuation rate, a critical factor for in vivo transcatheter device delivery applications, has not been previously reported. Here, a series of polyurethane SMPs with systematically varied hydrophobicity is described that permits control of the time for their complete shape recovery in water from under 2 min to more than 24 h. This control over the SMP actuation rate can potentially provide significant improvement in their delivery under conditions, which may expose them to high‐moisture environments prior to actuation.