An Alkaline Based Method for Generating Crystalline, Strong, and Shape Memory Polyvinyl Alcohol Biomaterials.

Strong, stretchable, and durable biomaterials with shape memory properties can be useful in different biomedical devices, tissue engineering, and soft robotics. However, it is challenging to combine these features. Semi-crystalline polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been used to make hydrogels by conventional methods such as freeze-thaw and chemical crosslinking, but it is formidable to produce strong materials with adjustable properties.