ABSTRACT
In this chapter, a brief history of shape memory material (SMM) is presented. The basic concept of shape memory effect (SME) and various shape memory phenomena are introduced. The generic working mechanisms for the SME are summarized together with the major parameters to characterize the SME. Three major SMMs, namely shape memory alloys (SMAs), shape memory polymers (SMPs) and shape memory hybrids (SMHs), are briefly compared.
