Shape memory polymers (SMP) are fascinating materials. They are smart materials with the ability to change shape when triggered by external stimuli. SMPs can retain two or sometimes three shapes, and the transition can be permanent or temporary. My research group has been studying them for years in different applications in the oil and gas industry, such as lost circulation materials, cement additives, proppants for hydraulic fracturing, and diverters for refracturing. In all cases, the SMP was programmed to expand when exposed to high temperatures (reservoir temperature). Particularly for cementing, where I dedicated most of my time, expansion has to be carefully designed not to damage the properties of the cement. If done correctly, cement expansion can even inhibit the formation of microannulus.
Our findings were recently published in a chapter in the Elsevier Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering. These studies are still very incipient, but the low weight combined with tailorable properties and ease of process makes the material applications very promising.