Emergence of shape memory polymers as a new material for diverse applications

The hyper-intelligent features of the shape memory polymers (SMPs) effectively attract the attention of researchers worldwide to translate their potential into a wide range of applications. SMPs possess a unique capability to transform original or predefined shapes to a deformed temporary shape and vice versa under the influence of stimuli for instance, water, temperature, light, pH, magnetic field, enzyme, etc. The emergence of SMPs has created a prominent impact in the progress of tissue engineering, drug delivery, designing biomedical devices, electrical/optical sensing, 4D printing, designing deployable devices for spacecraft, wastewater treatment, smart fibres for textiles, etc. However, to translate such smart materials for biomedical and material science applications, there is a continuous hunt of novel polymer functional materials and methodologies to make biocompatible, biodegradable, and adaptable (in chemical and physical properties such as, shape fixity, shape recovery, self-healing, and cross-linking ability etc.) SMPs. The review presents a timely overview of synthesis and diverse applications of functional SMPs in biomedical and material science emphasizing on latest developments and future challenges.