Shape-memory surfaces for cell mechanobiology

Abstract

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are a new class of smart materials, which have the capability to change from a temporary shape ‘A’ to a memorized permanent shape ‘B’ upon application of an external stimulus. In recent years, SMPs have attracted much attention from basic and fundamental research to industrial and practical applications due to the cheap and efficient alternative to well-known metallic shape-memory alloys. Since the shape-memory effect in SMPs is not related to a specific material property of single polymers, the control of nanoarchitecture of polymer networks is particularly important for the smart functions of SMPs. Such nanoarchitectonic approaches have enabled us to further create shape-memory surfaces (SMSs) with tunable surface topography at nano scale. The present review aims to bring together the exciting design of SMSs and the ever-expanding range of their uses as tools to control cell functions. The goal for these endeavors is to mimic the surrounding mechanical cues of extracellular environments which have been considered as critical parameters in cell fate determination. The untapped potential of SMSs makes them one of the most exciting interfaces of materials science and cell mechanobiology.     

A review of shape memory polymer composites and blends

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a kind of very important smart polymers. In order to improve the properties or obtain new functions of SMPs, SMP composites and blends are prepared. We thoroughly examine the research in SMP composites and blends achieved by numerous research groups around the world. The preparation of SMPs composites and blends is mainly for five aims: (1) to improve shape recovery stress and mechanical properties; (2) to decrease shape recovery induction time by increasing thermal conductivity; (3) to create new polymer/polymer blends with shape-memory effect (SME); (4) to tune switch temperature, mechanical properties, and biomedical properties of SMPs; (5) to fabricate shape memory materials sensitive to electricity, magnetic, light and moisture. The trend of SMP composite development is discussed. SMP composites and blends exhibit novel properties that are different from the conventional SMPs and thus can be utilized in various applications.     

形状记忆高分子材料记忆行为机理的理论分析

形状记忆高分子材料(SMP)具有优良的形状记忆功能,是继形状记忆合金(SMA)之后的又一热点研究领域.形状记忆机理的理论分析在SMP的研发与应用过程中起着至关重要的作用,理论分析往往对实验研究起着指导性的作用.目前对于形状记忆高分子材料记忆行为机理的理论研究还比较少.本文综述自形状记忆高分子材料发现20多年以来众多学者在形状记忆机理的理论方面的进展,并且对于今后理论研究的方向提出一些见解.     

生物医用形状记忆高分子材料

形状记忆聚合物作为一种智能材料,已经在生物医用领域显示出了巨大的应用前景。基于形状记忆聚合物材料的原理,组成和结构可以设计兼具生物降解性、生物相容性等多种功能的新型智能材料。本文综述了三种典型的生物降解性形状记忆聚合物材料(聚乳酸、聚己内酯、聚氨酯)的发展,从结构上对三种形状记忆聚合物进行了分类讨论,详细分析了不同种类聚合物形状记忆的机理、形状变化的固定率和回复率、回复速率等,并介绍了一些形状记忆聚合物材料在生物医学中的应用。最后对医用形状记忆聚合物未来发展进行了展望:双程形状记忆聚合物及体温转变形状记忆材料将会受到研究者的重点关注。     

An investigation on shape memory behaviours of hydro-epoxy/glass fibre composites

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have the capacity to return large strains by external stimuli. Among various SMPs, shape-memory epoxy has received considerable attention because of its superior mechanical and thermal properties as well as excellent shape-memory performance. In this study, short glass fibre-reinforced shape-memory hydro-epoxy composites are developed to improve further the mechanical property of shape-memory epoxy resin. The thermomechanical and shape-memory properties of the developed composite materials are investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis, bend test and shape recovery test. The results indicate that the glass modulus and bend strength of the developed composite materials initially increase and then slightly decrease with increasing short glass fibre content. The glass transition temperature of the developed composite materials does not change with increasing short glass fibre. When the short glass fibre content is less than 4.5 wt.%, full recovery can be observed after only several minutes at different temperatures. The shape-memory property of the composite materials is not affected greatly. However, when the short glass fibre content is more than 4.5 wt.%, the material would be destroyed after deformation.     

Shape recovery and irrecoverable strain control in polyurethane shape-memory polymer

Abstract

In shape-memory polymers, large strain can be fixed at a low temperature and thereafter recovered at a high temperature. If the shape-memory polymer is held at a high temperature for a long time, the irrecoverable strain can attain a new intermediate shape between the shape under the maximum stress and the primary shape. Irrecoverable strain control can be applied to the fabrication of a shape-memory polymer element with a complex shape in a simple method. In the present study, the influence of the strain-holding conditions on the shape recovery and the irrecoverable strain control in polyurethane shape-memory polymer is investigated by tension test of a film and three-point bending test of a sheet. The higher the shape-holding temperature and the longer the shape-holding time, the higher the irrecoverable strain rate. The equation that expresses the characteristics of the irrecoverable strain control is formulated.     

Recent advances in shape memory polymers and composites: a review

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) belong to a class of smart polymers, which have drawn considerable research interest in last few years because of their applications in microelectromechanical systems, actuators, for self healing and health monitoring purposes, and in biomedical devices. Like in other fields of applications, SMP materials have been proved to be suitable substitutes to metallic ones because of their flexibility, biocompatibility and wide scope of modifications. The shape memory properties of SMPs polymers might surpass those of shape memory metallic alloys (SMAs). In addition to block copolymers, polymers blends and interpenetrating network structured SMP systems have been developed. The present review mainly highlights the recent progress in synthesis, characterization, evaluation, and proposed applications of SMPs and related composites.     

Shape recovery and irrecoverable strain control in polyurethane shape-memory polymer

In shape-memory polymers, large strain can be fixed at a low temperature and thereafter recovered at a high temperature. If the shape-memory polymer is held at a high temperature for a long time, the irrecoverable strain can attain a new intermediate shape between the shape under the maximum stress and the primary shape. Irrecoverable strain control can be applied to the fabrication of a shape-memory polymer element with a complex shape in a simple method. In the present study, the influence of the strain-holding conditions on the shape recovery and the irrecoverable strain control in polyurethane shape-memory polymer is investigated by tension test of a film and three-point bending test of a sheet. The higher the shape-holding temperature and the longer the shape-holding time, the higher the irrecoverable strain rate. The equation that expresses the characteristics of the irrecoverable strain control is formulated.     

Review of electro-active shape-memory polymer composite

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have been one of the most popular subjects under intensive investigation in recent years, due to their many novel properties and great potential. These so-called SMPs by far surpass shape-memory alloys and shape-memory ceramics in many properties, e.g., easy manufacture, programming, high shape recovery ratio and low cost, and so on. However, they have not fully reached their technological potential, largely due to that the actuation of shape recovery in thermal-responsive SMPs is normally only driven by external heat. Thus, electro-activate SMP has been figured out and its significance is increasing in years to come. This review focuses on the progress of electro-activate SMP composites. Special emphases are given on the filler types that affect the conductive properties of these composites. Then, the mechanisms of electric conduction are addressed.     

Shape memory materials and hybrid composites for smart systems: Part II Shape-memory hybrid composites

By hybridizing or incorporating shape-memory materials with other functional materials or structural materials, smart composites can be fabricated which may utilize the unique functions or properties of the individual bulk materials to achieve multiple responses and optimal properties, or, to tune their properties to adapt to environmental changes. A variety of shape-memory hybrid composites have been designed and manufactured, with shape-memory elements being either the matrix or the reinforcement. The hybrid composites provide tremendous potential for creating new paradigms for material–structural interactions and demonstrate varying success in many engineering applications. This review, from the standpoint of materials science, will give a state-of-the-art survey on the various shape-memory hybrid smart composites developed during the last decade. Emphasis is placed on the design, fabrication, characterization and performance of fibre-reinforced, particle-reinforced and multi-layered thin-film shape-memory composites.     

Shape-memory materials and hybrid composites for smart systems: Part I Shape-memory materials

A review is presented of the current research and development of shape-memory materials, including shape-memory alloys, shape-memory ceramics and shape-memory polymers. The shape-memory materials exhibit some novel performances, such as sensoring (thermal, stress or field), large-stroke actuation, high damping, adaptive responses, shape memory and superelasticity capability, which can be utilized in various engineering approaches to smart systems. Based on an extensive literature survey, the various shape-memory materials are outlined, with special attention to the recently developed or emerged materials. The basic phenomena in the materials, that is, the stimulus-induced phase transformations which result in the unique performance and govern the remarkable changes in properties of the materials, are systematically lineated. The remaining technical barriers, and the challenges to improve the present materials system and develop a new shape memory materials are discussed.     

Biomedical applications of thermally activated shape memory polymers

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that can remember a primary shape and can return to this primary shape from a deformed secondary shape when given an appropriate stimulus. This property allows them to be delivered in a compact form via minimally invasive surgeries in humans, and deployed to achieve complex final shapes. Here we review the various biomedical applications of SMPs and the challenges they face with respect to actuation and biocompatibility. While shape memory behavior has been demonstrated with heat, light and chemical environment, here we focus our discussion on thermally stimulated SMPs.     

A Review of Smart Superwetting Surfaces Based on Shape-Memory Micro/Nanostructures

Bioinspired smart superwetting surfaces with special wettability have aroused great attention from fundamental research to technological applications including self-cleaning, oil–water separation, anti-icing/corrosion/fogging, drag reduction, cell engineering, liquid manipulation, and so on. However, most of the reported smart superwetting surfaces switch their wettability by reversibly changing surface chemistry rather than surface microstructure. Compared with surface chemistry, the regulation of surface microstructure is more difficult and can bring novel functions to the surfaces. As a kind of stimulus-responsive material, shape-memory polymer (SMP) has become an excellent candidate for preparing smart superwetting surfaces owing to its unique shape transformation property. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress of smart superwetting SMP surfaces including fabrication methods, smart superwetting phenomena, and related application fields. The smart superwettabilities, such as superhydrophobicity/superomniphobicity with tunable adhesion, reversible switching between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity, switchable isotropic/anisotropic wetting, slippery surface with tunable wettability, and underwater superaerophobicity/superoleophobicity with tunable adhesion, can be obtained on SMP micro/nanostructures by regulating the surface morphology. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of smart superwetting SMP surfaces are discussed.     

形状记忆高分子材料在生物医学领域的应用

形状记忆高分子材料(SMPs)作为一种新型功能材料具有生物相容性好、形变率大、形变温度可调、易于加工、可引入生物降解组分等特点,近年来,特别是在生物医药领域,SMPs已成为研究人员广泛关注的焦点之一。根据SMPs的功能及其应用研究现状,着重综述了近年来SMPs在矫形固定材料、药物缓释体系、手术缝合、微创医疗器械以及组织工程等生物医学领域的主要研究和应用,并展望了SMPs在生物医学领域未来的研究方向和前景,同时,简要介绍了SMPs的发展概况及其具有形状记忆效应的原理。     

PMN–PT based relaxor ferroelectrics as very smart materials

The basic classification of smart materials and structures is reviewed briefly. The role of nonlinear response for achieving field-tunability of properties is described in simple terms. The observation of the two-way shape-memory effect in a solid solution of lead magnesium niobate (PMN) and lead titanate (PT) for the nominal atomic composition 65:35 is reported. Possible factors influencing the occurrence of the two-way effect are discussed. It is argued that such relaxor ferroelectric ceramics can function as smart materials (rather than serving merely as components of smart structures), because they can meet the “information-reduction” criterion. And they qualify to be called very smart because they have a fairly large number of smartness attributes, including the two-way shape-memory attribute reported here.     

A finite element method for light activated shape‐memory polymers

Shape‐memory polymers (SMPs) belong to a class of smart materials that have shown promise for a wide range of applications. They are characterized by their ability to maintain a temporary deformed shape and return to an original parent permanent shape. In this paper, we consider the coupled photomechanical behavior of light activated shape‐memory polymers (LASMPs), focusing on the numerical aspects for finite element simulations at the engineering scale. The photomechanical continuum framework is summarized, and some specific constitutive equations for LASMPs are described. Numerical implementation of the multiphysics governing partial differential equations takes the form of a user defined element subroutine within the commercial software package ABAQUS . We verify our two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional finite element procedure for multiple analytically tractable cases. To show the robustness of the numerical implementation, simulations are performed under various geometries and complex photomechanical loading. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Honeybee combs: how the circular cells transform into rounded hexagons

We report that the cells in a natural honeybee comb have a circular shape at ‘birth’ but quickly transform into the familiar rounded hexagonal shape, while the comb is being built. The mechanism for this transformation is the flow of molten visco-elastic wax near the triple junction between the neighbouring circular cells. The flow may be unconstrained or constrained by the unmolten wax away from the junction. The heat for melting the wax is provided by the ‘hot’ worker bees.     

形状记忆聚氨酯与可降解生物材料的研究和应用

综述了形状记忆聚氨酯(PUs)的原理和生物材料降解机制,介绍了形状记忆PUs和可降解生物材料的研究现状,并指出可降解形状记忆PUs生物材料的应用前景及今后研究的重点.     

Shape Memory Materials for Biomedical Applications

Shape memory properties provide a very attractive insight into materials science, opening unexplored horizons and giving access to unconventional functions in every material class (metals, polymers, and ceramics). In this regard, the biomedical field, forever in search of materials that display unconventional properties able to satisfy the severe specifications required by their implantation, is now showing great interest in shape memory materials, whose mechanical properties make them extremely attractive for many biomedical applications. However, their biocompatibility, particularly for long‐term and permanent applications, has not yet been fully established and is therefore the object of controversy. On the other hand, shape memory polymers (SMPs) show promise, although thus far, their biomedical applications have been limited to the exploration. This paper will first review the most common biomedical applications of shape memory alloys and SMPs and address their critical biocompatibility concerns. Finally, some engineering implications of their use as biomaterials will be examined.