Title: Memory Formation in Thermo-responsive Smart Polymer PNIPAM

Authors: Soumyajit Pradhan, Sayantan Majumdar

PNIPAM, or Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), is a synthetic polymer It has unique thermoresponsive properties. It got attention in materials science and biotechnology due to its temperature responsive behaviour. This polymer is composed of repeating units derived from acrylamide, with an added isopropyl group, making it hydrophobic. They swell at lower temperatures (below the lower critical solution temperature, LCST) and collapse at higher temperatures (above LCST). We can tune the LCST temperature by the help of salt. Now, Memory formation in matter is a theme of broad intellectual relevance. Once the system has completely relaxed to thermal equilibrium, it is no longer able to recall aspects of its evolution. We are trying to find memory formation in a dilute PNIPAM gel system.