Polymers

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Muhammad Yasar Razzaq

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institut für Polymer- und Produktionstechnologien e. V., Alter Holzhafen 19, 23966 Wismar, Germany
Interests: three-dimensional/four-dimensional printing; stimuli-sensitive polymer; shape-memory polymers; organic–inorganic nanostructures; multifunctional materials; polymer actuators; electrospinning

Dr. Maria Balk

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Helmotz-Zentrum Hereon, Teltow, Germany
Interests: switching; hydrogel; shape memory polymer; crosslinking; polymers; copolymerization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs), with their ability to recover from mechanical deformations through exposure to an external stimulus, have attracted widespread attention, and their technological significance has become apparent for multiple applications in the material world. Recent developments in SMP research not only included the synthesis of novel molecular architectures with tailored performance and novel functions such as self-healing, recyclability and weldability, but also enabled the design of complicated structures and prototypes using modern fabrication techniques, such as additive manufacturing and electrospinning. The use of emerging fabrication techniques has broadened the application potential of these smart polymers to different areas, e.g., robotics, smart textiles, wearable electronics, satellite hinges, innovative electronics, aeromechanical sectors, defence sectors, etc.

This Special Issue aims to exhibit cutting-edge research in the field of SMPs, including their high tech applications and the following overlapping topics:

Smart multifunctional composites;
Applications of SMPs;
Four-dimensional printing of SMPs;
Shape-memory vitrimers;
Electrospinning of SMPs;
Actuators and sensors.

Reviews and regular original papers are all welcome.

Dr. Muhammad Yasar Razzaq
Dr. Maria Balk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

shape-memory polymers
4D printing
multifunctional composites
shape-memory vitrimers
actuators and sensors
electrospinning of smart fibres

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 5529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Thermal Performance of Shape Memory Polymers: Designing a Minichannel Structure

by Saed Beshkoofe, Majid Baniassadi, Alireza Mahdavi Nejad, Azadeh Sheidaei and Mostafa Baghani

Polymers 2024, 16(4), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040500 - 11 Feb 2024

Viewed by 631

Abstract

This research proposes a numerical approach to improve the thermal performance of shape memory polymers (SMPs) while their mechanical properties remain intact. Sixteen different 3D minichannel structures were numerically designed to investigate the impact of embedded water flow in microchannel networks on the thermal response and shape recovery of SMPs. This work employs two approaches, each with different physics: approach A focuses on solid mechanics analysis and, accordingly, thermal analysis in solids without considering the fluid. approach B tackles solid and fluid mechanics analysis and thermal analysis in both solid and fluid subdomains, which inherently calls for fluid–structure coupling in a uniform procedure. Finally, the results of these two approaches are compared to predict the SMP’s thermal and mechanical behavior. The structural designs are then analyzed in terms of their shape recovery speed, recovery ratio, and recovery parameters. The results indicate that isotropic structures thermally outperform their anisotropic counterparts, exhibiting improved thermal characteristics and faster shape recovery. Additionally, it was observed that polymeric structures with a low volume fraction of embedded branches thermally perform efficiently. The findings of this study predict that the geometrical angle between the main branch and sub-branches of SMP favorably impacts the enhancement of thermal characteristics of the structure, accelerating its shape recovery. Approach B accelerates the shape recovery rate in SMPs due to fluid flow and uniform heat transfer within the structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World)

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Review

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30 pages, 6101 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Nature to Technology: Exploring Bioinspired Polymer Actuators via Electrospinning

by Muhammad Yasar Razzaq, Maria Balk, Magdalena Mazurek-Budzyńska and Anke Schadewald

Polymers 2023, 15(19), 4029; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15194029 - 09 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1431

Abstract

Nature has always been a source of inspiration for the development of novel materials and devices. In particular, polymer actuators that mimic the movements and functions of natural organisms have been of great interest due to their potential applications in various fields, such as biomedical engineering, soft robotics, and energy harvesting. During recent years, the development and actuation performance of electrospun fibrous meshes with the advantages of high permeability, surface area, and easy functional modification, has received extensive attention from researchers. This review covers the recent progress in the state-of-the-art electrospun actuators based on commonly used polymers such as stimuli-sensitive hydrogels, shape-memory polymers (SMPs), and electroactive polymers. The design strategies inspired by nature such as hierarchical systems, layered structures, and responsive interfaces to enhance the performance and functionality of these actuators, including the role of biomimicry to create devices that mimic the behavior of natural organisms, are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future directions in the field, with a focus on the development of more efficient and versatile electrospun polymer actuators which can be used in a wide range of applications, are addressed. The insights gained from this review can contribute to the development of advanced and multifunctional actuators with improved performance and expanded application possibilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape-Memory Polymers for Multiple Applications in the Materials World)

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