Recent Advances in Shape Memory Polymeric Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Since the discovery of shape memory polymers (SMPs) in 1960, interest in this type of polymers has suffered a huge increase. Basically, a shape memory polymer is a smart stimuli-responsive material that can be deformed by an external force and then fixed in a temporary shape until an external stimulus provides the recovery of the original shape. As a consequence of these unique features, SMPs have a broad range of applications in many fields.

When the change in shape is triggered by heating, the material shows a thermally induced shape-memory effect. In general, thermo-sensitive SMPs require suitable polymer networks with junctions and network chains with reversible mobility switching. The junctions determine the permanent shape; they are responsible for the original shape recovery, based on entropic elasticity, while the switchable network is responsible for the temporary shape fixation. As a result of their unique elasticity and extensibility afforded by the formation of a three-dimensional cross-linked network, elastomers are excellent candidates to fix the permanent shape.

This Special Issue aims to collect the latest research in the shape-memory polymer field, including manuscripts and critical review papers on recent advances in synthesis, mechanism of actuation and applications of SMPs.

Dr. Pilar Posadas
Dr. Rodrigo Navarro Crespo
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.

• shape memory
• smart polymeric materials
• stimulus-triggered shape change
• actuators
• thermal and electrical properties