Shape memory poly(ε-caprolactone)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) foams with body temperature triggering and two-way actuation

Richard M. Baker, James H. Henderson, Patrick T. Mather

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe the fabrication of porous foams with shape memory triggering at body temperature. Employing a modified porogen-leaching technique, functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macromers are crosslinked via thiol-ene chemistry to generate highly porous foam scaffolds with shape memory capacity. The temperature at which shape change of these scaffolds occurs under hydrated conditions can be tuned both through control of the chemical composition and through deformation temperature during mechanical programming of the scaffolds. Uniquely, the foams exhibit reversible actuation in compression, which has not previously been demonstrated for foams. Our results indicate that PCL-PEG shape memory foams have potential as programmable scaffolds for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and the study of cell mechanobiology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4916-4920
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B
Volume1
Issue number38
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 14 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Materials Science

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