Shape memory polymers are smart material that as result of external stimulus can change from a temporary deformed shape back to original shape. Shape-memory materials share an unusual property - they can be squished, twisted or bent into a variety of configurations, but when heated above some threshold temperature they revert to the original shape in which they were made. The behavior of shape memory polymers has been mathematically modeled in detail, which should make it easier to use them in new ways; potential applications include implantable biomedical devices and space structures as per a new analysis by researchers at MIT. Lallit Anand, the Warren and Towneley Rohsenow Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and graduate students studied a representative shape-memory polymer material that can double in size. This added capacity could allow the design of more complex geometries for applications. In addition, the material itself is softer and has a rubbery consistency, and may be less likely to damage surrounding tissues when used in biomedical devices. While shape-shifting polymers have been known for a few decades, until now there has been no detailed understanding of the basic molecular behavior responsible for the materials’ properties, and so trying to adapt them to any new application was essentially “all just trial and error”. These materials are increasingly being harnessed for critical applications in biomedical devices, data-storage systems or self-deployable space structures that require great precision. The numerical simulation developed will allow relatively accurate design of complex shape-memory polymer-based devices and systems, and thus will bring such applications closer to becoming practical. Although this work represents a step on the path to more widespread use of these materials, there remain some unanswered questions, such as the long-term durability of such structures when subjected to millions of cycles of deformation. Also, the analysis was focused on one specific composition out of a whole family of shape-memory polymers. TEMBO® is a family of thermoset (epoxy) shape-memory polymers (SMP) developed by CTD. These polymers have been used to create TEMBO® Elastic Memory Composites. These EMC combine the structural properties of fiber reinforced composites with shape memory characteristics of shape memory polymers. Components and structures fabricated with the EMC materials can provide lightweight structures that are strong and stiff. Additionally, they can be folded, rolled, or otherwise packaged to a different shape for storage and later returned to the original as-manufactured shape, without loss of performance. This shape change is affected by use of a thermo mechanical process, where heat and force are required to package, and heat alone is needed to deploy the EMC component back to its 'as-fabricated' shape. They can accommodate high strain without damage, while providing very high deployed stiffness and strength-to-weight performance. This enables the design of simple, rigid, deployable composite structures that can be compactly packaged, efficiently integrated with other equipment, and reliably deployed with predictable performance. Characteristics and benefits of TEMBO® components and structures include: • High strength to weight ratio • Large volume reduction when packaged • Reduced part counts, as the EMC structure eliminates complex moving parts associated with traditional deployment mechanisms • Reduced costs, with fewer parts to assemble, qualify and/or inspect • Lower mass, since the EMC material is multifunctional, replacing multiple dedicated components from traditional systems • EMC device can: - Provide necessary deployment forces - Function as the primary structure once deployed - Dampen excessive deployment energy • No mechanical force required to regain original shape, only applied heat • Customized transition temperatures to meet specific application requirements • Can package and deploy multiple times These EMC and Foams are being qualified for a variety of products for use in space, on aircraft and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), for marine and maritime structures, in oil and gas equipment, automotive components, medical devices, composite tooling, and other industrial applications