Hydrogels are three-dimensional, crosslinked networks of hydrophilic polymers able to absorb and retain water. Due to their hydrated environment and tunable properties, hydrogels have been intensively studied and widely used in tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, diagnostics, catalysis, cell culture support, bioactive coatings, biosensors, contact lenses, disposable diapers, implants, wound healing, etc.
Among these, functional hydrogels engineered through modern fabrication technologies result in a variety of biofunctional materials with versatile surface effects, generating great potential in various applications. Some conclusions can be drawn from this, particularly with respect to stimuli-responsive hydrogels:
1) The development of novel functional hydrogels with desired characteristics is highly necessary.
2) Chemical synthesis methods for assembling functional hydrogels need to be further addressed.
3) The various means of integrating functional hydrogels with nanomaterials to yield promising materials need to be further clarified.
4) Practical applications of functional hydrogels are also desired.
Therefore, we are pleased to launch this Research Topic and welcome scientists to contribute reviews and original research papers in the field of synthesis and design of functional hydrogels.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
• Functional hydrogels and their properties
• Synthesis of micro-hydrogels
• Synthesis of nano-hydrogels
• Surface modification technologies of functional hydrogels
• New characterization techniques for functional hydrogels
• Stimuli-responsive hydrogels
Hydrogels are three-dimensional, crosslinked networks of hydrophilic polymers able to absorb and retain water. Due to their hydrated environment and tunable properties, hydrogels have been intensively studied and widely used in tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, diagnostics, catalysis, cell culture support, bioactive coatings, biosensors, contact lenses, disposable diapers, implants, wound healing, etc.
Among these, functional hydrogels engineered through modern fabrication technologies result in a variety of biofunctional materials with versatile surface effects, generating great potential in various applications. Some conclusions can be drawn from this, particularly with respect to stimuli-responsive hydrogels:
1) The development of novel functional hydrogels with desired characteristics is highly necessary.
2) Chemical synthesis methods for assembling functional hydrogels need to be further addressed.
3) The various means of integrating functional hydrogels with nanomaterials to yield promising materials need to be further clarified.
4) Practical applications of functional hydrogels are also desired.
Therefore, we are pleased to launch this Research Topic and welcome scientists to contribute reviews and original research papers in the field of synthesis and design of functional hydrogels.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
• Functional hydrogels and their properties
• Synthesis of micro-hydrogels
• Synthesis of nano-hydrogels
• Surface modification technologies of functional hydrogels
• New characterization techniques for functional hydrogels
• Stimuli-responsive hydrogels
