TY  - JOUR
A1  - Yan, Wan
A1  - Fang, Liang
A1  - Nöchel, Ulrich
A1  - Gould, Oliver E. C.
A1  - Behl, Marc
A1  - Kratz, Karl
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - Investigating the roles of crystallizable and glassy switching segments within multiblock copolymer shape-memory materials
JF  - MRS Advances
N2  - The variation of the molecular architecture of multiblock copolymers has enabled the introduction of functional behaviour and the control of key mechanical properties. In the current study, we explore the synergistic relationship of two structural components in a shape-memory material formed of a multiblock copolymer with crystallizable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and crystallizable polyfoligo(3S-iso-butylmorpholine-2,5-dione) segments (PCL-PIBMD). The thermal and structural properties of PCL-PIBMD films were compared with PCI.-PU and PMMD-PU investigated by means of DSC, SAXS and WARS measurements. The shape-memory properties were quantified by cyclic, thermomechanical tensile tests, where deformation strains up to 900% were applied for programming PCL-PIBMD films at 50 degrees C. Toluene vapor treatment experiments demonstrated that the temporary shape was fixed mainly by glassy PIBMD domains at strains lower than 600% with the PCL contribution to fixation increasing to 42 +/- 2% at programming strains of 900% This study into the shape-memory mechanism of PCL-PIBMD provides insight into the structure function relation in multiblock copolymers with both crystallizable and glassy switching segments.
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.590
SN  - 2059-8521
VL  - 3
IS  - 63
SP  - 3741
EP  - 3749
PB  - Cambridge Univ. Press
CY  - New York
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Liu, Yue
A1  - Gould, Oliver E. C.
A1  - Kratz, Karl
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - On demand sequential release of (sub)micron particles controlled by size and temperature
JF  - Small : nano micro
N2  - Polymeric devices capable of releasing submicron particles (subMP) on demand are highly desirable for controlled release systems, sensors, and smart surfaces. Here, a temperature-memory polymer sheet with a programmable smooth surface served as matrix to embed and release polystyrene subMP controlled by particle size and temperature. subMPs embedding at 80 degrees C can be released sequentially according to their size (diameter D of 200 nm, 500 nm, 1 mu m) when heated. The differences in their embedding extent are determined by the various subMPs sizes and result in their distinct release temperatures. Microparticles of the same size (D approximate to 1 mu m) incorporated in films at different programming temperatures T-p (50, 65, and 80 degrees C) lead to a sequential release based on the temperature-memory effect. The change of apparent height over the film surface is quantified using atomic force microscopy and the realization of sequential release is proven by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The demonstration and quantification of on demand subMP release are of technological impact for assembly, particle sorting, and release technologies in microtechnology, catalysis, and controlled release.
KW  - on demand particle release
KW  - temperature-memory effect
KW  - thermosensitive
KW  - polymer surface
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202104621
SN  - 1613-6810
SN  - 1613-6829
VL  - 18
IS  - 5
PB  - Wiley-VCH
CY  - Weinheim
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Deng, Zijun
A1  - Wang, Weiwei
A1  - Xua, Xun
A1  - Gould, Oliver E. C.
A1  - Kratz, Karl
A1  - Ma, Nan
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - Polymeric sheet actuators with programmable bioinstructivity
JF  - PNAS
N2  - Stem cells are capable of sensing and processing environmental inputs, converting this information to output a specific cell lineage through signaling cascades. Despite the combinatorial nature of mechanical, thermal, and biochemical signals, these stimuli have typically been decoupled and applied independently, requiring continuous regulation by controlling units. We employ a programmable polymer actuator sheet to autonomously synchronize thermal and mechanical signals applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC5). Using a grid on its underside, the shape change of polymer sheet, as well as cell morphology, calcium (Ca2+) influx, and focal adhesion assembly, could be visualized and quantified. This paper gives compelling evidence that the temperature sensing and mechanosensing of MSC5 are interconnected via intracellular Ca2+. Up-regulated Ca2+ levels lead to a remarkable alteration of histone H3K9 acetylation and activation of osteogenic related genes. The interplay of physical, thermal, and biochemical signaling was utilized to accelerate the cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage. The approach of programmable bioinstructivity provides a fundamental principle for functional biomaterials exhibiting multifaceted stimuli on differentiation programs. Technological impact is expected in the tissue engineering of periosteum for treating bone defects.
KW  - reversible shape-memory actuator
KW  - mesenchymal stem cells
KW  - calcium influx
KW  - HDAC1
KW  - RUNX2
Y1  - 2020
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910668117
SN  - 1091-6490
VL  - 117
IS  - 4
SP  - 1895
EP  - 1901
PB  - National Academy of Sciences
CY  - Washington, DC
ER  -