Pcl/dcp based free standing thermo-responsive two way shape memory polymer gripper

Abstract

Provided herein is a thermoresponsive two-way shape memory polymer comprising a crosslinking agent, a thermoplastic polyester, and a low-stiffness elastomer, wherein the crosslinking agent and the thermoplastic polyester are positioned internal to the elastomer. Also provided herein is a method of producing an actuator from a thermoresponsive two-way shape memory polymer comprising reacting a crosslinking agent with a thermoplastic polyester to produce a polymer and reacting the polymer with a low-stiffness elastomer to produce the two-way thermoresponsive shape memory polymer. The actuator is transitioned from a first position to a second position by application of a high temperature, and wherein the actuator is reversable from the second position back to the first position under application of a low temperature.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.