A substrate includes a double-network polymer system including a cross-linked, covalently-bonded polymer and a reversible, partially ionicly-bonded polymer, wherein the substrate has a moisture level less than or equal to 15 percent of the total weight of the substrate, and wherein the substrate includes a latent retractive force. A method for manufacturing a substrate includes producing a double-network hydrogel including a cross-linked, covalently-bonded polymer and a reversible, ionicly-bonded polymer; elongating by force the double-network hydrogel in at least one direction; dehydrating while still elongated the double-network hydrogel to form a substantially-dehydrated double-network polymer system; and releasing the force to produce the substrate.

A coupling assembly includes first and second components with mating protrusions including shape memory polymer protrusions with different shape configurations. The components are assembled by engaging the protrusions with a temporary shape configuration at a first level of retention force. The protrusions are heated above the transition temperature to recover a permanent shape configuration, and cooled to provide a second level of retention force at the permanent shape configuration.

Disclosed is a joining element (10), especially a suture material for surgical use. The joining element (10) is composed of a first material (12) that is essentially rigid during impingement by a relatively short-lasting tensile load on opposite sides as well as a second material (11) which is connected to the first material. The second material is substantially rigid during impingement by said tensile load on opposite sides while contracting slowly during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time.

The present disclosure is directed to a joining element elongate in a longitudinal direction including an inner core extending substantially in the longitudinal direction and an outer sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The sleeve includes a lattice that defines at least one angle with respect to the longitudinal direction and the core is swellable against the sleeve along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to thereby increase the angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. The disclosure is further directed to a method of joining a first a second material including the joining element of the present disclosure.

Disclosed is a joining element (10), especially a suture material for surgical use. The joining element (10) is composed of a first material (12) that is essentially rigid during impingement by a relatively short-lasting tensile load on opposite sides as well as a second material (11) which is connected to the first material. The second material is substantially rigid during impingement by said tensile load on opposite sides while contracting slowly during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time.

A display device includes a display member configured to display an image in a first direction and a cover member on the display member. The cover member includes a flexible member including a front part defining a front plane perpendicular to the first direction, and a first side part connected to a first side of the front part and defining a first side plane different from the front plane, and a rigid member partially overlapping the flexible member and on the front part.

A shrink cap for receiving a temperature-dependent switch. The shrink cap includes an open first end for sliding onto the switch and a closed second end which is closed by a welded or embossed seam that extends from an end face arranged in an area of the second end and resulting from the welded or embossed seam. The welded or embossed seam is formed in such a way that a formed section of the welded or embossed seam bears against the end face directly or with an interposed joining agent.

A method of manufacturing a shape-memory article includes combining a polymer with a particulate water soluble salt to form a mixture; molding the mixture to form a molded article; heating the molded article in the presence of oxygen, forming a sintered article comprising a crosslinked polymer; exposing the sintered article to water to remove the particulate water soluble salt from the sintered article, forming the shape-memory article, which is a porous foam comprising the crosslinked polymer.