Smart polymer composites are engineered to respond dynamically to external stimuli such as heat, light, stress, or electric fields, offering enhanced functionality and adaptability in demanding environments. These materials hold significant promise for commercial adoption, provided that their design complexities and performance limitations are thoroughly addressed. Various mechanisms—such as shape memory, electroactive, thermoresponsive, and light-sensitive systems—enable these composites to deliver responsive behavior. While existing reviews have predominantly focused on individual smart mechanisms and their physical responses, this review emphasizes a comparative analysis of multi-functional smart polymer composites reported over the past five years. It highlights their activation methods, performance efficiency, key benefits, and current challenges, while exploring their growing potential in high-performance sectors including aerospace, biomedical devices, flexible electronics, and wearable technologies.
Open Access