Author
Harper Meng
Other affiliations: Southern University and A&M College, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bio: Harper Meng is an academic researcher from Louisiana State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Shape-memory polymer & Thermosetting polymer. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 11 publications receiving 2012 citations. Previous affiliations of Harper Meng include Southern University and A&M College & Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Papers
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TL;DR: An up-to-date review on shape memory polymer composites with potential applications in biomedical devices, aerospace, textiles, civil engineering, bionics engineering, energy, electronic engineering, and household products is presented.
981 citations
TL;DR: Stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) are smart materials which can show noticeable changes in their properties with environmental stimulus variations as discussed by the authors, which can be delivered to textiles by integrating smart SRPs into them, such as aesthetic appeal, comfort, textile soft display, smart controlled drug release, fantasy design with color changing, wound monitoring, smart wetting properties and protection against extreme variations in environmental conditions.
Abstract: Stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) are smart materials which can show noticeable changes in their properties with environmental stimulus variations. Novel functionalities can be delivered to textiles by integrating smart SRPs into them. SRPs inclusive of thermal-responsive polymers, moisture-responsive polymers, thermal-responsive hydrogels, pH-responsive hydrogels, and light-responsive polymers have been applied in textiles to improve or achieve textile smart functionalities. The functionalities include aesthetic appeal, comfort, textile soft display, smart controlled drug release, fantasy design with color changing, wound monitoring, smart wetting properties and protection against extreme variations in environmental conditions. In this review, the applications of SRPs in the textile and clothing sector are elucidated; the associated constraints in fabrication processes for textiles and their potential applications in the near future are discussed.
514 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the up-to-date research endeavors on advanced one-step dual-shape memory polymers (SMPs) and discuss the challenges and opportunities for future research.
Abstract: One-step dual-shape memory polymers (SMPs) recover their original (permanent) shape upon small variation of environmental conditions such as temperature, electric field, light, magnetic field, and solvent/chemicals. For advanced applications such as aerospace and medical devices, complicated, multiple-step, spatially controllable, and two-way shape memory effects (SMEs) are required. In the past decade, researchers have devoted great effort to improve the versatility of the SME of SMPs to meet the needs of advanced applications. This paper is intended to review the up-to-date research endeavors on advanced SMEs. The problems facing the various SMPs are discussed. The challenges and opportunities for future research are discussed. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
249 citations
TL;DR: A brief overview of the different mechanisms and fabrication strategies of typical stimulus-active polymers can be found in this paper, where various applications of different stimulus active polymers are also briefly summarized.
Abstract: Stimulus-active polymers can vary their shapes (configuration or dimension) or produce mechanical power in response to external stimuli such as heat, electricity, light, magnetic field, and water. In the past decade, many breakthroughs have been made in developing stimulus-active polymers with novel stimulus-active mechanisms. With proper designing, complicated movements such as swimming, inchworm walking, rotation, and bending can be achieved. Stimulus-active polymers can be applied in a wide range of areas from hi-tech areas to daily life. A few papers have been written on specific type of stimulus-active polymers, but have not covered all stimulus-active polymers. Hence, this article aims to present a brief overview of the different mechanisms and fabrication strategies of typical stimulus-active polymers. The various applications of different stimulus-active polymers are also briefly summarized in the article.
238 citations
TL;DR: In this article, shape memory polymer fibers (SMPF) were used in a biomimetic two-step self-healing system for healing macroscopic cracks, where SMPF strands were cold-drawn to various pre-strain levels before casting the polymer matrix.
117 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a plant-inspired shape morphing system is presented, where a composite hydrogel architecture is encoded with localized, anisotropic swelling behavior controlled by the alignment of cellulose fibrils along prescribed four-dimensional printing pathways.
Abstract: Shape-morphing systems can be found in many areas, including smart textiles, autonomous robotics, biomedical devices, drug delivery and tissue engineering. The natural analogues of such systems are exemplified by nastic plant motions, where a variety of organs such as tendrils, bracts, leaves and flowers respond to environmental stimuli (such as humidity, light or touch) by varying internal turgor, which leads to dynamic conformations governed by the tissue composition and microstructural anisotropy of cell walls. Inspired by these botanical systems, we printed composite hydrogel architectures that are encoded with localized, anisotropic swelling behaviour controlled by the alignment of cellulose fibrils along prescribed four-dimensional printing pathways. When combined with a minimal theoretical framework that allows us to solve the inverse problem of designing the alignment patterns for prescribed target shapes, we can programmably fabricate plant-inspired architectures that change shape on immersion in water, yielding complex three-dimensional morphologies.
2,122 citations
TL;DR: The expanding range of printable materials, coupled with the ability to programmably control their composition and architecture across various length scales, is driving innovation in myriad applications.
Abstract: Light- and ink-based three-dimensional (3D) printing methods allow the rapid design and fabrication of materials without the need for expensive tooling, dies or lithographic masks. They have led to an era of manufacturing in which computers can control the fabrication of soft matter that has tunable mechanical, electrical and other functional properties. The expanding range of printable materials, coupled with the ability to programmably control their composition and architecture across various length scales, is driving innovation in myriad applications. This is illustrated by examples of biologically inspired composites, shape-morphing systems, soft sensors and robotics that only additive manufacturing can produce.
1,054 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive review of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and their derivatives, such as composites and compound structures, as well as their current applications are presented.
1,034 citations
TL;DR: A critical overview of soft robotic grippers is presented, covering different material sets, physical principles, and device architectures, and improved materials, processing methods, and sensing play an important role in future research.
Abstract: Advances in soft robotics, materials science, and stretchable electronics have enabled rapid progress in soft grippers. Here, a critical overview of soft robotic grippers is presented, covering different material sets, physical principles, and device architectures. Soft gripping can be categorized into three technologies, enabling grasping by: a) actuation, b) controlled stiffness, and c) controlled adhesion. A comprehensive review of each type is presented. Compared to rigid grippers, end-effectors fabricated from flexible and soft components can often grasp or manipulate a larger variety of objects. Such grippers are an example of morphological computation, where control complexity is greatly reduced by material softness and mechanical compliance. Advanced materials and soft components, in particular silicone elastomers, shape memory materials, and active polymers and gels, are increasingly investigated for the design of lighter, simpler, and more universal grippers, using the inherent functionality of the materials. Embedding stretchable distributed sensors in or on soft grippers greatly enhances the ways in which the grippers interact with objects. Challenges for soft grippers include miniaturization, robustness, speed, integration of sensing, and control. Improved materials, processing methods, and sensing play an important role in future research.
1,028 citations
TL;DR: Progress in new shape memory enabling mechanisms and triggering methods, variations of in shape memory forms (shape memory surfaces, hydrogels, and microparticles), newshape memory behavior (multi-SME and two-way-S ME), and novel fabrication methods are reviewed.
1,020 citations