Smart Polymer Hydrogels for Advanced Biomedical Applications
A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 43
Special Issue Editor
2. The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510700, China
Interests: stimuli-responsive polymer; microgel and hydrogel; drug delivery; sensor and biosensor; smart materials; tough hydrogel; wastewater remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Smart polymer hydrogels have emerged as a highly versatile class of materials for biomedical applications due to their tunable physical, chemical, and biological properties. By responding to environmental stimuli such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, light, or specific biomolecules, these hydrogels enable precise control over drug release, tissue engineering scaffolds, biosensors, wound dressings, and regenerative therapies. Recent advances in polymer chemistry, supramolecular assembly, and biofabrication techniques have enabled the design of multifunctional hydrogels with improved mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and bioactivity. This Special Issue aims to highlight state-of-the-art research on the synthesis, characterization, and application of smart polymer hydrogels in various biomedical contexts. We invite contributions covering innovative hydrogel architectures, stimuli-responsive mechanisms, biofunctionalization strategies, and translational studies that bridge fundamental research with clinical or industrial needs. Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome to provide readers with insights into emerging trends, challenges, and future opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.
Dr. Yongfeng Gao
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- smart hydrogels
- stimuli-responsive polymers
- drug delivery systems
- tissue engineering
- regenerative medicine
- biosensors
- biocompatibility
- controlled release
- biomedical materials
- supramolecular hydrogels
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