Memory-shape hydrogels

Abstract

Memory-shape hydrogels (MSH) are a class of hydrogels with tremendous potential to be used in the human body. Hydrogels exhibiting memory-shape features are considered â smartâ adjustable soft gels with a great tendency to repair either programmed or permanent temporal physical structures after being triggered by specific stimuli. These stimuli are usually based on pH changes, application of light, and changing ion concentration or temperature. By definition, they can switch from shape I to shape II when submitted to one or more of these stimuli. Up to now, the dual-shape effect is the most common. However, more variables are being introduced in the systems and the research has intensified the investigation for novel multishape and multifunctional MSH. This synergistic combination of hydrogels with memory-shape properties resulted in a powerful tool that will definitely contribute to the development of novel and more efficient structures for the diverse subsets of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.