Hydrogels are unique materials that can be found in the body or environment and are also engineered especially for bio-related applications. After decades of study, they remain in the focus of both scientific interest and application development. Modern approaches are increasingly characterized by progress from a simple mixing of gel-forming components to more controlled materials tailored for specific functions. This also brings forth new tasks related to the structural characterization of hydrogels or the computer modelling of their formation and properties. Aside from engineered materials, new information can also be gathered on hydrogels occurring in the natural environment and formed by living organisms and within their bodies.
This Research Topic intends to publish contributions on current ideas and novel concepts for the advancement in the field of natural and bio-polymer based hydrogels; we will review and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art, set goals, and propose directions for future research in this field. Contributions on new approaches in hydrogel chemistry, characterization of their structure and properties (including their interrelationships), as well as tailoring them to specific applications, are highly welcome.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• smart and responsive bio-polymer based hydrogels
• hydrogels as mimics of biological environments
• modeling of hydrogel formation, structure, and properties
• hydrogels for drug delivery, such as in-wound healing and neural tissue damage
Hydrogels are unique materials that can be found in the body or environment and are also engineered especially for bio-related applications. After decades of study, they remain in the focus of both scientific interest and application development. Modern approaches are increasingly characterized by progress from a simple mixing of gel-forming components to more controlled materials tailored for specific functions. This also brings forth new tasks related to the structural characterization of hydrogels or the computer modelling of their formation and properties. Aside from engineered materials, new information can also be gathered on hydrogels occurring in the natural environment and formed by living organisms and within their bodies.
This Research Topic intends to publish contributions on current ideas and novel concepts for the advancement in the field of natural and bio-polymer based hydrogels; we will review and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art, set goals, and propose directions for future research in this field. Contributions on new approaches in hydrogel chemistry, characterization of their structure and properties (including their interrelationships), as well as tailoring them to specific applications, are highly welcome.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• smart and responsive bio-polymer based hydrogels
• hydrogels as mimics of biological environments
• modeling of hydrogel formation, structure, and properties
• hydrogels for drug delivery, such as in-wound healing and neural tissue damage
