Duggal, Ishaan2022-11-142022-11-142021-08https://hdl.handle.net/11299/243048University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. 2021. Major: Pharmaceutics. Advisor: Ronald Siegel. 1 computer file (PDF); 61 pages.A biodegradable thermoplastic shape memory polymer which can be used for 3D printing patient specific soft tissue expanders was synthesized and characterized. The bottlebrush polymer with Poly (vinyl alcohol) backbone and polyurethane side chains exhibited shape memory effect. Using an environmentally friendly microwave assisted synthesis technique, Poly (vinyl alcohol)-graft-Poly(ε-caprolactone) was synthesized. Subsequently, the free hydroxyl end groups from Poly(ε-caprolactone) were used to synthesize polyurethanes by incorporating methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and resorcinol. Upon subsequent testing, it was observed that these polymers showed temperature and water responsive shape memory properties i.e., these could be programmed to recover back to their original shape when brought in contact with external stimuli (temperature and water). This is based on the transition of these polymers from the glassy to the rubbery state above their glass transition temperatures. This work demonstrates the potential of use of these polymers in different pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.enWater mediated shape memory polymersPoly (vinyl alcohol)-graft-Poly(ε-caprolactone)PolyurethanesShape memory PolymersThermoresponsive shape memory polymersTissue expandersThesis or Dissertation