Shape memory polymers (SMPs) represent a highly interesting class of materials. As one
representative of the intelligent polymeric systems, these materials gained significant interest in recent years. Consequently, the variety of materials investigated virtually exploded
and several promising shape memory effects have been developed. The present review will
provide a short overview on the history of SMPs as well as the current developments and
concepts for shape memory polymers. Additionally, future developments in this field will
be discussed.