This project explores the synthesis and testing of shape-memory polymers (SMPs), a class of smart materials capable of returning to a pre-defined shape when exposed to an external stimulus such as heat or light. Students mold polycaprolactone (PCL) or similar thermoplastics into simple forms, deform them at their transition temperature, and then observe recovery when reheated. Through repeated programming and recovery cycles, the experiment highlights the balance between flexibility, shape retention, and durability, while introducing key concepts in polymer chemistry and responsive materials.
 
The analysis focuses on quantifying performance through shape fixity and recovery ratios, while exploring variables such as transition temperature, crosslinking density, and heating methods. By connecting these material properties to real-world designs, the project demonstrates how SMPs are applied in robotics, biomedical devices, and self-healing technologies. It provides a practical introduction to stimuli-responsive polymers and their role in advancing next-generation functional materials.