Thermoplastic polyurethanes: Flexibly adjustable material behavior through synthesis and programming

Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials. Among them, thermoplastic polyurethanes are probably the best studied today. Thermoplastic polyurethanes can be synthesized with a wide variety of properties. Control over the thermally triggerable one-way shape memory effect is possible through both chemical formulation and a thermomechanical treatment known as programming. One-way shape memory effects offer advantages in security labels to protect against counterfeiting [1] and for monitoring cold chains [2] as well as in foil-guided dentistry (orthodontic aligners).