Jing Zhang, Liang Meng^*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2025, DOI:10.32604/icces.2025.011468

Abstract Shape memory alloys (SMA), with their unique phase transformation capability, can deform under external force and recover their original shape through a martensite-to-austenite phase transformation triggered by heating [1]. Utilizing this characteristic, SMA wires can be pre-stretched and fixed, generating internal stress during shape recovery, which increases the natural frequency of SMA wire structures [2]. This property is of significant importance in structural dynamics design. Based on this, structures incorporating SMA wires and SMA-reinforced plate structures can be designed to dynamically adjust their natural frequencies and control structural dynamic responses. Furthermore, the vibration modes of More >

Junhui Hua¹, Junyuan Xiong², Bo Xu^1,*, Chong Wang¹, Qingyuan Wang¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.85, No.1, pp. 65-88, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.068226 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Shape memory alloys (SMAs) and shape memory ceramics (SMCs) exhibit high recovery ability due to the martensitic transformation, which complicates the fracture mechanism of SMAs and SMCs. The phase field method, as a powerful numerical simulation tool, can efficiently resolve the microstructural evolution, multi-field coupling effects, and fracture behavior of SMAs and SMCs. This review begins by presenting the fundamental theoretical framework of the fracture phase field method as applied to SMAs and SMCs, covering key aspects such as the phase field modeling of martensitic transformation and brittle fracture. Subsequently, it systematically examines the phase More >

Kartikey Shahi, Velmurugan Ramachandran^*, Ranjith Mohan, Boomurugan Ramachandran

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 477-496, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.062481 - 14 July 2025

Abstract A Shape Memory Polymer Composite (SMPC) is developed by reinforcing an epoxy-based polymer with randomly oriented short glass fibers. Diverging from previous research, which primarily focused on the hot programming of short glass fiber-based SMPCs, this work explores the potential for programming below the glass transition temperature (Tg) for epoxy-based SMPCs. To mitigate the inherent brittleness of the SMPC during deformation, a linear polymer is incorporated, and a temperature between room temperature and Tg is chosen as the deformation temperature to study the shape memory properties. The findings demonstrate an enhancement in shape fixity and More >

Taoxi Wang¹, Zhuo Liu^1,2, Fu Jian¹, Xing Shen¹, Chen Wang¹, Huwei Bian³, Tao Jiang^3,*, Wei Min Huang⁴

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 81-94, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.061047 - 27 March 2025

Abstract This paper presents the development of a thermoplastic shape memory rubber that can be programmed at human body temperature for comfortable fitting applications. We hybridized commercially available thermoplastic rubber (TPR) used in the footwear industry with un-crosslinked polycaprolactone (PCL) to create two samples, namely TP6040 and TP7030. The shape memory behavior, elasticity, and thermo-mechanical response of these rubbers were systematically investigated. The experimental results demonstrated outstanding shape memory performance, with both samples achieving shape fixity ratios (R_f) and shape recovery ratios (R_r) exceeding 94%. TP6040 exhibited a fitting time of 80 s at body temperature (37°C), More >

Nayara Koba de Moura Morgado, Guilherme Ferreira de Melo Morgado, Erick Gabriel Ribeiro dos Anjos, Fabio Roberto Passador^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 95-110, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.059364 - 27 March 2025

Abstract The continuous improvement in patient care and recovery is driving the development of innovative materials for medical applications. Medical sutures, essential for securing implants and closing deep wounds, have evolved to incorporate smart materials capable of responding to various stimuli. This study explores the potential of thermoresponsive sutures, made from shape memory materials, that contract upon heating to bring loose stitches closer together, promoting optimal wound closure. We developed nanocomposites based on a blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)—biopolymers that inherently exhibit shape memory—enhanced with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GN)… More >

Zhi-Xiang Wei¹, Wen-Wei Wang^2,*, Yan-Jie Xue³, Wu-Tong Zhang², Qiu-Di Huang²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.19, No.2, pp. 347-364, 2025, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2024.054559 - 15 January 2025

Abstract To investigate the performance of utilizing the shape memory effect of SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) wire to generate recovery stress, this paper performed single heating recovery stress tests and reciprocating heating-cooling recovery stress tests on SMA wire under varying initial strain conditions. The effects of various strains and different energized heating methods on the recovery stress of SMA wires were explored in the single heating tests. The SMA wire was strained from 2% to 8% initially, and two distinct heating approaches were employed: one using a large current interval for rapid heating and one using… More >

Changhong Linghu^1,*, Huajian Gao^1,2, K. Jimmy Hsia^1,3

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011590

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMPs), with unique properties such as tunable elastic modulus, temporary shape-locking, and shape-recovery upon external stimulations, are emerging as a new class of smart materials with switchable adhesion capabilities. A prominent feature of the adhesion between SMP and a spherical indenter is the so-called R2G adhesion, defined as making contact in the rubbery state to a certain indentation depth followed by detachment in the glassy state. While it has been demonstrated that the R2G adhesion with SMPs can achieve orders of magnitude higher adhesive strength compared to conventional elastic adhesive systems, the… More >

Zhao Wang¹, Jun Liu¹, Xiaoying Qi², Chadur Venkatesan², Sharon Nai², David W. Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011890

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMP) have many applications as actuators in soft robotics. However, predicting their shape change behavior is challenging, which makes designing suitable actuators difficult. For thermally stimulated shape memory polymers, constitutive models of shape change behavior show promise in enabling predictable shape changes, which is necessary for actuator design. These models are usually classified as either rheological or phase transition, with the former being more general, although non-physical in nature, and the latter being more physically significant [1]. Of interest in this work is 2-state shape change transitions for single-material actuators; that is,… More >

Hang Yang^1,2,3, Wei Zhai³, Ma Li^1,*, Damiano Pasini^2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.010893

Abstract Stimuli-responsive materials can alter their physicochemical properties, e.g., shape, color, or stiffness, upon exposure to an external trigger, e.g., heat, light, or humidity, exhibiting environmental adaptability. Among them, shape memory materials are limited by their multi-shape memory effect and the complex thermomechanical programming. In this work, we harness the distinct temperature-dependent elastic moduli of two 3D-printable polymers, that do not rely upon their intrinsic shape memory effect and compositional alteration to generate robust and simplified multi-shape memory responses in a variety of stimuli-responsive mechanical metamaterials, bypassing the typical intricate programming of conventional multi-shape memory polymers.… More >

Jiazhao Huang¹, Xiaoying Qi¹, Chu Long Tham¹, Hang Li Seet¹, Sharon Mui Ling Nai¹, David William Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012040

Abstract The emergence of 4D printing introduces stimuli-responsive, shape-changing capabilities through additive manufacturing (AM) and smart materials, has advanced the field of soft robotics. However, there are currently lack of methods or tools that capable of aiding in the generative design of 4D AM structures. The current generative design procedure for 4D AM structures often lacks transferability among various structures due to limited understanding of shape memory material behaviors for soft robotics. To develop such a digital library, investigation of fundamental elements, such as material properties of shape memory materials, geometry parameters of design primitives, and… More >