Shape-memory effect in an organosuperelastic crystal

Shape-memory materials, i.e., polymers (SMPs: shape-memory polymers) and alloys (SMAs: shape-memory alloys), have been developed in very different ways since they are historically far apart in material type as well as physical property. In the deformation process, SMPs require only a slight stress due to the properties of organic polymer solids, and they reveal a smaller recovery force during the thermoplastic process whereas SMAs require a relatively large stress due to metallic properties, and they thermally tighten to generate a larger recovery force via destabilization of the stress-induced phase. An investigation into the unexplored area of the material adjoining both ends of SMPs and SMAs would lead toward a better understanding of shape-memory materials and extend future applications and material types. Here, we report the discovery of a shape-memory effect in an organic crystal bearing a combination of crystal transformability like in SMAs with organic components like SMPs.