1. Dolcera LLC
Landscape Report On
Shape Memory Polymer

2. About Shape Memory Polymer
Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are polymer materials which may be returned from a deformed state to their original shape or "permanent configuration" via an external stimulus. The external stimulus is usually temperature, as in the case of thermally activated SMPs, but can also be the application of an electric or magnetic field, light or a change in pH. An SMP is an example of a smart material. Projected applications include self-adjusting orthodontic wires and selectively pliable tools for small scale surgical procedures where metal-based shape memory alloys such as Nitinol are widely used. Additional applications include self-repairing structural components, such as automobile fenders in which dents are repaired by application of heat.

3. About Shape Memory Polymer
Shape memory polymers differ from shape memory alloys in that a glass transition from a hard to a soft phase is responsible for the effect rather than metallic Martensitic/Austenitic transitions.
Polymers with shape memory have both a visible, current form and a stored, permanent form. Once the latter has been produced by conventional methods, the material is molded into a second, temporary form by skillful heating, deformation, and finally, cooling. The plastic maintains this shape until the permanent form is recalled by a predetermined external stimulus. The secret behind these materials lies in their molecular network structure, which contains meltable "switching segments." Raising the temperature activates the switching: the crystallized switching segments melt and the material resumes its original form. The materials are effectively visco-elastic and many models and analysis methods exist.

4. About Shape Memory Polymer
After an undesired deformation, such as a dent in the fender, these plastics "remember" their original shape. Heating them both improves and activates their "memory." In this way, the dent could then be removed with a hair-dryer, for example. In this case, the important form is its undamaged original shape. The impact results in a temporary form, which changes back to the original form upon heating -- in effect, the plastic repairs itself.
One of the first conceived industrial applications was in robotics where shape memory foams were used to provide initial soft prehension in gripping which could be subsequently hardened by cooling making a shape adaptive grip. Since then the materials have seen widespread usage in the building industry (foam which expands with warmth to seal window frames), sports wear (helmets, judo and karate suits) etc. and in some cases with thermochromic additives for ease of thermal profile observation

5. Patent Analysis Taxonomy

6. List Of Control Patents
US A1
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7. Search History
Patent Search Table

8. Search History

9. Search History
Table for companies Vs patent families

11. IP Activity
Top Assignee

12. Scientific Literature
Database : Scirus
Search Date Range :
Search String :
(("Shape memory polymer" OR "Shape memory polymers"
OR "shape memory oligomer" OR " shape memory elastomer" OR " shapememory polymer"))
No of Hits : 372
Dolcera patent dashboard for shape memory polymers

13. White Space Analysis - Eyelash
Link to complete Eyelash matrix

14. White Space Analysis - Skin

15. White Space Analysis - Fiber
Link to complete Fiber matrix

16. White Space Analysis - Textile

17. White Space Analysis - Hair
Link to complete Hair matrix

18. White Space Analysis - Others

19. White Space Analysis - Keratin
Link to complete Keratin matrix

20. Analogies

21. Coating

22. Coating

23. Coating

24. Shape Deformation & Recovery

25. Shape Deformation & Recovery

26. Shape Deformation & Recovery

27. Memory

28. Memory

29. Memory

30. Stimuli

31. Hair And SMP Technology

32. Long Lasting Hair Product – Concept Table

33. Search Strategy

34. Control Patents US US US US

35. IP Activity
Top Assignee

36. IP Activity
IP Activity

37. Dolcera patent dashboard for shape memory polymers