Global existence and bounds for blow‐up time in a class of nonlinear pseudo‐parabolic equations with a memory term

In this article, we consider the initial boundary value problem for a class of nonlinear pseudo‐parabolic equations with a memory term: Under suitable assumptions, we obtain the local and global existence of the solution by Galerkin method. We prove finite‐time blow‐up of the solution for initial data at arbitrary energy level and obtain upper bounds for blow‐up time by using the concavity method. In addition, by means of differential inequality technique, we obtain a lower bound for blow‐up time of the solution if blow‐up occurs.     

Lignin,a biomass crosslinker,in a shape memory polycaprolactone network

This work reports a new direction of natural lignin valorization, which utilizes lignin to produce crosslinked polycaprolactone (PCL) via a straightforward synthesis. Lignin's hydroxyl groups of its multibranched phenolic structure allow lignin to serve as crosslinkers, whereas the aromatic groups serve as hard segments. The modified natural lignin containing alkene terminals is crosslinked with a thiol‐terminal PCL via Ru‐catalyzed photoredox thiol‐ene reaction. The high rate of gel contents measured for all crosslinked polymers, with the least being 84% of gel content, indicates efficient crosslinking. The prepared flat rectangular shape lignin‐crosslinked PCL sample demonstrates rapid thermal responsive shape memory behavior at 10 °C and 80 °C showing interconversion between a permanent and temporary shape. The melting temperature of the lignin‐crosslinked PCL is tunable by varying the percent weight of lignin. The 11, 21, and 30 wt % lignin demonstrated T_m of 42 °C, 35 °C, and 26 °C, respectively. The role of lignin as a crosslinker presented in this work suggests that lignin can serve as an efficient biomass‐based functional additive to polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2121–2130     

Magnetomechanical training of single crystalline Ni-Mn-Ga alloy

A 5M Ni-Mn-Ga single crystal was investigated, supplied by Adaptamat Ltd, Finland. Especially low temperature magnetic actuation as well as cyclic tensile-compression tests revealed promising properties, which provide useful insights for training concepts in polycrystalline materials. Successive compressions lead to a significant reduction of the twinning stress by a factor of two.     

Actuation design for high‐performance shape memory polyurethanes

A series of shape memory polyurethanes were synthesized from poly(tetramethylene glycol), 4,4‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, and 1,3‐butanediol. The prepolymers with different molecular weights (M_c) were capped with 2‐hydroxyl ethylacrylate or 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and crosslinked by UV curing or a sol–gel reaction. Variations of the crosslinker functionality (f), subchain density (N), and hard segment content (HSC) produced systematic variations of the glass transition temperature (6–45 °C), accompanied by changes in the mechanical, dynamic mechanical and shape memory properties. More than 95% of shape fixity and 98% of shape recovery up to the fourth cycles were obtained with APTES crosslinked 3000M_c with 30% of HSC. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1473–1479     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Liquid Crystalline Epoxides with Lateral Substituent Showing Imposing Shape Memory Properties

In this work, a series of novel shape memory liquid crystalline (LC) epoxides with lateral substituent were prepared and characterized. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and shape memory testing were used to investigate on the thermo-mechanical properties and shape memory effects of prepared samples. The results showed that the modulus in the rubbery region (E_R ) decreased as the length of lateral alkyl group increases. And more than 95% of the deformation can be fixed as the sample was cooled down below the glass transition temperature (T_g), which was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement, and can be recovered completely as heating. Effects of the curing agent and substituent on the shape memory behavior were also studied. We found that LC epoxides cured by aromatic diamine have a higher recovery speed. The recovering speeds of the shape memory decreased as the length of lateral alkyl group inscreased. The local ordered structures and the lateral substituent played an important role in shape memory effects.     

Porous shape memory polymers: Design and applications

Porous shape memory polymers (SMPs) exhibit geometric and volumetric shape change when actuated by an external stimulus and can be fabricated as foams, scaffolds, meshes, and other polymeric substrates that possess porous three-dimensional macrostructures. These materials have applications in multiple industries such as textiles, biomedical devices, tissue engineering, and aerospace. This review article examines recent developments in porous SMPs, with a focus on fabrication methods, methods of characterization, modes of actuation, and applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1300–1318     

Temperature memory effect and its stability revealed via differential scanning calorimetry in ethylene‐vinyl acetate within glass transition range

In this article, we reveal the temperature memory effect (TME) in a commercial thermoplastic polymer, namely ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA), within its glass transition range via a series of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) tests. In addition, we investigate the influence of heating holding time and also compare the observed TME in current study with that of shape memory alloys (SMAs). It is concluded that the TME via DSC (without any macroscopic shape change) is achievable within the glass transition range of a polymer. Conversely, although the observed TME shares the many similar features as those in SMAs, due to the nature of micro‐Brownian motion in the glass transition of polymers, the resulted TME is strongly affected by the heating holding time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1731–1737     

碳纳米管制备蓝光石墨烯量子点及其在柔性有机存储器上的应用

通过化学裁剪法打开碳纳米管获得了粒径一致、性能稳定、具有蓝色荧光的石墨烯量子点。该方法属于化学溶液法，具有成本低廉、工艺简单、条件易控等优势。将该样品与半导体聚合物按一定比例混溶，通过旋涂技术形成基于石墨烯量子点掺杂的聚合物复合薄膜，进而制成柔性存储器。该柔性可弯曲存储器具有低驱动电压、接近10³的ON/OFF 比率、较好的循环次数，较好的重复性和稳定性。该研究结果为柔性有机存储器领域的研究展开了新的方向。     

Experiment on relationship between the magnetic gradient of low-carbon steel and its stress

In geomagnetic field, a series of tensile experiments on the low-carbon steel sticks were carried out. A special homemade detector was used to measure the magnetic gradient on the material surface. The results showed that the relationship between the magnetic gradient and the stress varied with different conditions of measurement. There was no obvious correlation between the magnetic gradient and the tensile stress if the sample remained on the material test machine. If the sample was taken off from the machine, the measured magnetic gradient was linear with the prior maximum stress. In Nanjing, PR China, a place of 32°N latitude, the slope of the linear relationship was about 67 (uT/m)/MPa. This offered a new method of non-destructive stress testing by measuring the magnetic gradient on the ferromagnetic component surface. The prior maximum applied stress of the sample could be tested by measuring the present surface magnetic gradient. Actually this phenomenon was the metal magnetic memory (MMM). The magnetic gradient near the stress concentration zone of the sample, the necking point, was much larger than other area. Thus, the hidden damage in the ferromagnetic component could be detected early by measuring the magnetic gradient distribution on its surface. In addition, the magnetic memory signal gradually weakened as the sample was taken off and laid aside. Therefore, it was effective for a given period of time to detect the stress or stress concentration based on the MMM testing.