This review summarizes the advances and challenges of shape memory polymer-based flexible electronic devices.

Shape memory polymers and their composites are kind of smart materials, which can transfer from the temporarily fixed configuration to the original configuration under external stimuli. Their inherent advantages are low density, low cost, large recoverable deformation ability and controllable stimulus method, which make them an alternative for aerospace applications (deployable structures, release devices, wrinkled/slack control component, etc). Most of these applications are in development stage, some have completed the ground functional verification experiments, a rare part has been carried out the spaceflight experiments. This review focuses on their materials and structures in aerospace field, briefly introduces the development history and general mechanism of shape memory polymers and their composites, replenishes the space radiation resistance abilities of these materials under the ground-simulated space radiation experiments, tracks those applications who have already completed the spaceflight experiments, then exhibits some novel applications which have great potential and could give us inspirations for new aerospace application development, finally the prospects for materials and structures are discussed in the future outlook.

Four-dimensional (4D) printing is an advanced manufacturing technology that has rapidly emerged as a transformative tool with the capacity to reshape various research domains and industries. Distinguished by its integration of time as a dimension, 4D printing allows objects to dynamically respond to external stimuli, setting it apart from conventional 3D printing. This roadmap has been devised, by contributions of 44 active researchers in this field from 32 affiliations world-wide, to navigate the swiftly evolving landscape of 4D printing, consolidating recent advancements and making them accessible to experts across diverse fields, ranging from biomedicine to aerospace, textiles to electronics. The roadmap’s goal is to empower both experts and enthusiasts, facilitating the exploitation of 4D printing’s transformative potential to create intelligent, adaptive objects that are not only feasible but readily attainable. By addressing current and future challenges and proposing advancements in science and technology, it sets the stage for revolutionary progress in numerous industries, positioning 4D printing as a transformative tool for the future.

Shape memory polymer (SMP) and SMP composites (SMPC) can memorize the permanent shape and recover from the temporary shape to the permanent shape when stimulated by the appropriate stimuli. Because of the unique shape memory effect, coupled with its low cost, low density, high specific strength, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and other characteristics, SMP and SMPC have become possible materials to solve the problems currently faced by space deployable structures, biomedical devices, mold manufacturing, release devices, etc. This work reviews the research and developments of SMP and SMPC, including the achievements in constitutive theory, the applications, and prospects in aerospace, biomedical medicine, intelligent mold, and release devices.