Learn about Michaela Andrews' research!
When she heard that there was a possibility for a shape memory polymer (SMP) project through the Design of Active Materials and Structures Laboratory and the Polymer Materials and Mechanics Laboratory, Andrews knew she found what she was looking for.
This project engages her fascination of materials and how little changes in manufacturing, composition, or architectures can open new worlds of applications or capabilities. Her thesis is entitled “Expanding the performance of shape memory polymers through yarn and textile structures.”
This project engages her fascination of materials and how little changes in manufacturing, composition, or architectures can open new worlds of applications or capabilities. Her thesis is entitled “Expanding the performance of shape memory polymers through yarn and textile structures.”
SMPs are materials that will change shape in response to a stimulus such as heat. Through incorporating SMPs into unique yarn and textile architectures, the shape memory capacity of this material will be leveraged beyond its current capabilities. Accomplishing this will open the door to improved medical devices such as compression stockings.
Compression stockings provide relief from diseases related to blood flow, but these socks are difficult to get on and off because the wearer needs to stretch the material. This can be especially difficult, and sometimes impossible, for the elderly or those with arthritis to do by themselves. Shape memory polymers can solve this problem.
Compression stockings provide relief from diseases related to blood flow, but these socks are difficult to get on and off because the wearer needs to stretch the material. This can be especially difficult, and sometimes impossible, for the elderly or those with arthritis to do by themselves. Shape memory polymers can solve this problem.
Through incorporating shape memory polymers into compression stockings, the stocking could be loose when the wearer is trying to get it on, and then from body heat or a heating pad tighten to apply the appropriate amount of compression. Incorporating SMPs into compression stockings may lead to greater independence for compression stocking users, increased patient compliance with compression therapies, and improved medical treatments for venous diseases.
Andrews is a fourth-year Ph.D. student and is co-advised by professors Julianna Abel and Sue Mantell.
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CSE Graduate Programs
csegrad@umn.edu
cse.umn.edu
Andrews is a fourth-year Ph.D. student and is co-advised by professors Julianna Abel and Sue Mantell.
--
CSE Graduate Programs
csegrad@umn.edu
cse.umn.edu