Applications of Shape Memory Polymers in Kinetic Buildings

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted significant attention from both industrial and academic researchers, due to their useful and fascinating functionality. One of the most common and studied external stimuli for SMPs is temperature; other stimuli include electric fields, light, magnetic fields, water, and irradiation. Solutions for SMPs have also been extensively studied in the past decade. In this research, we review, consolidate, and report the major efforts and findings documented in the SMP literature, according to different external stimuli. The corresponding mechanisms, constitutive models, and properties (i.e., mechanical, electrical, optical, shape, etc.) of the SMPs in response to different stimulus methods are then reviewed. Next, this research presents and categorizes up-to-date studies on the application of SMPs in dynamic building structures and components. Following this, we discuss the need for studying SMPs in terms of kinetic building applications, especially about building energy saving purposes, and review recent two-way SMPs and their potential for use in such applications. This review covers a number of current advances in SMPs, with a view towards applications in kinetic building engineering.

Smart polymer nanocomposites: A review

“…The future development of biodegradable polyester-SMP should focus on switching temperature for human body, improvement of shape memory effect (e.g., shape recovery), degradability and recyclability. For readers to understand the SMP usage in daily life, here we show an example of SMP used in window blinds, which is documented in the review by Li et al [60]. One of the feasible approaches to enhance building energy efficiency is to develop dynamic building envelope systems that can tune their thermal and optical properties based on seasonal or daily climatic changes.…”

“…Schematic diagram of thermally responsive SMP in heat controls of window blinds (reproduced from Li et al[60]). …”

The Effect of POSS Type on the Shape Memory Properties of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites

“…Due to these advantages, a potential application of SMPs is to replace metallic mechanisms that are used nowadays in spacecraft [ 2 ]. One of the most prominent members of the SMP family is based on epoxy resin [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Epoxy resins are high-performance thermoset polymers with outstanding mechanical properties such as high modulus, high creep resistance, high adhesion strength, good heat resistance, high electrical resistance, and excellent resistance to chemicals [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Thermal-Responsive Biomimetic Small-Scale Shape Memory Wood Composites with High Tensile Strength, High Anisotropy

“…Shape-memory polymers (SMP), one type of smart materials, can deform from the temporary shape to the permanent shape under external stimuli (mainly including heat [12,13], light [14], electric [15], magnetic fields [16], water/solvent [17]), where performance had been programmed before triggering [18,19], and that it has common advantages of polymer: High elastic deformation, low cost, low density, potential biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Indeed, SMP has been widely used in aerospace [20], textile [21], biomedicine [22], kinetic buildings, and other related fields [23]. In order to improving SMP’s physical and chemical properties, one of methods is by introducing filler into polymer matrix, such as wood flour and cellulose whisker [24,25], which all have destroyed the original biological structure and morphology of natural wood.…”