Patent ID: 8206822

Claim:
A method of forming an article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an interpenetrating blend of at least one predominantly positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte, polymer, method comprising: contacting the article with a first solution to change a salt doping level ratio within the polyelectrolyte complex from an initial salt doping level to a second salt doping level, wherein the salt doping level ratio is changed by varying one or more factors selected from the group consisting of salt type, salt concentration, temperature, and pH within the complex; applying a mechanical force to the article at the second salt doping level in order to reform the complex into a persistent shape; and wherein the second salt doping level ratio is between about 0.50 and about 0.990 and the article is fully hydrated when the mechanical force is applied.