A novel supramolecular shape memory material was prepared based on partial alpha-CD-PEG inclusion complex, which contains alpha-CD-PEG inclusion crystallites as a fixing phase and naked PEG crystallites as a reversible phase. The recovery ratio of these materials could reach 97%. The characteristics of the material were investigated and a mechanism for the shape memory behavior was proposed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.