Special Issues

Gels publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Aerogels and Composites Aerogels submission deadline 28 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2623
Keywords: aerogel; composite aerogel; synthesis and characterization; physicochemical properties; application
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Chemistry and Physics)
Recent Developments in Cellulose-Based Hydrogels submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 300 | Submission Open
Keywords: cellulose-based hydrogel; cellulose modification; cellulose-based hydrogel modification; gels; hydrogel; biopolymer
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Polymer Gels for the Oil and Gas Industry
edited by Lin Li, Yining Wu and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 15 articles | Viewed by 33854 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymer gels; oil and gas production; oil reservoirs; gel fracturing fluid
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
State-of-the-Art Gel Research in China
edited by Ziguang Zhao, Weipeng Chen and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 19434 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; soft materials; hydrogel; aerogel; xerogel; cryogel; microgel; nanogel; lipogel; emulgel; ionogel; metallogel; food gel; bigel; mechanical performance; smart features; interdisciplinary applications; etc.
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Next-Generation Hydrogels: Bridging Biology and Engineering for Medical Breakthroughs submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 14670 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels design; advanced characterization of materials; biomedical applications of hydrogels; hydrogel sterilization; smart hydrogels; biodegradable hydrogels; in situ gelation; multifunctional hydrogels; drug delivery; antimicrobial properties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hydrogels, Microgels and Nanogels Emerging Platforms for Drug Delivery, Antibacterial Properties and Tissue Engineering
edited by Dimitrios Skoulas and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 14186 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; microgels; nanogels; drug delivery; antibacterial properties; tissue engineering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Chemistry and Physics)
Recent Advances in Multi-Functional Hydrogels
edited by Wenshan Ren, Liang Chen and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 12722 | Submission Open
Keywords: thermo-sensitive hydrogels; photo-sensitive hydrogels; self-healing hydrogels; anti-fouling hydrogels; tough and strong hydrogels; biomedical hydrogels; luminescent hydrogels; hydrogel adhesives; hydrogel sensors; 3D-printed hydrogels; hydrogel-based soft actuators; hydrogel-based electronics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Recent Trends in Gels for 3D Printing submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 12438 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; hydrogels; bioresponsive hydrogels; 3d printing; additive manufacturing; processing of hydrogels; material properties; applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Food Gels: Structures, Properties and Applications
edited by , Jianhui Xiao, , Ruixuan Zhao and Jing Li
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 11958 | Submission Open
Keywords: structure– property relationships; conditions of gel formation; hydrogels in delivery systems; polysaccharide hydrogels; gel deterioration caused by food processing methods; applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Novel Functional Gels for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition)
edited by Jilong Wang
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 9306 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; biomimetic gels; drug delivery; inflammatory microenvironment regulation; cancer therapy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hybrid Hydrogels: From Biomaterials Development to Eco-Friendly Approaches
edited by Gabriela Craciun, , and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6606 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; hybrid polymers; natural and synthetic polymers; advanced and smart hydrogels; radiation crosslinking; biocompatibility  ; swelling and biodegradation kinetics  ; innovative techniques  ; drug or fertilizer release
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Nature Polymer Gels for Food Packaging
edited by Josefa Martucci and David A. D'Amico
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5948 | Submission Open
Keywords: biopolymer; gels; edible films; encapsulation; food packaging; active packaging; smart packaging; food preservation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Modification of Gels in Creating New Food Products (2nd Edition) submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5559 | Submission Open
Keywords: food gels; hydrogels; emulgels; oleogels; aerogels; natural biopolymers; food gel product design; functional food; control digestive or retention; gel property analysis; textural stability and sensory properties; smart packaging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hydrogels for Cartilage Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology
edited by , Rocío Castro-Viñuelas and Veerle Bloemen
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4849 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; tissue engineering; cartilage; biocompatibility; mechanobiology; mechanical properties; scaffolds
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Current Directions and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition) submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4012 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; stimuli-responsive materials; self-healing; nanocomposite; biomedical application
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Cellulose-Based Gels: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications (2nd Edition)
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 678 | Submission Open
Keywords: cellulose; cellulose-based gels; cellulose derivatives  ; physico-chemical characterization; biomedical applications; drug delivery; tissue engineering; 3D bioprinting; environmental science  ; food science  ; cellulose synthesis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Advanced Gelatin Materials for Regenerative Medicine
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 571 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomaterials; gelatin-based materials; hydrogel; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; wound repair; organ-on-chips; microfluidics; drug delivery; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; hemostasis; tissue mimicking; 3D printing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hydrogels for Encapsulation Applications submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 359 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; functionalized hydrogels; stimuli-responsive hydrogels; encapsulation; hydrogel encapsulation systems; hydrogel characterization techniques; encapsulated cells; bacterial encapsulation; encapsulated biomolecules; controlled release; microbial applications; biomedicine; environmental applications; biosensors; biocatalysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Advances in Aerogel-Based Composites and Their Electrochemical Applications
edited by , Chuanhui Huang and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 265 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerogel; porous materials; composite; electrochemistry; electrocatalyst
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hydrogels: Promising Biomaterials for Wound Healing and Cartilage Regeneration
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 187 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomaterial; hydrogel; wound healing; cartilage regeneration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Cellulose and Nanofibers-Based Soft Gels: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
edited by Min Zhang
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 152 | Submission Open
Keywords: soft gels; cellulose and nanofibers; physical or chemical crosslinking; high water retention; biocompatibility; stimuli-responsiveness; biomedical applications; mechanical adaptability; sustainability drive
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Chemistry and Physics)
Rheological Studies and Applications of Hydrogels Related to Drug Delivery submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 22616 | Submission Open
Keywords: applications of hydrogels; hydrogels in drug delivery; rheology of hydrogels; role of rheology in drug delivery; properties of hydrogels
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Recent Progress and Development of Advanced Aerogels: Latest Processing Methods, Improved Properties and Application (2nd Edition)
edited by and
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 12584 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerogel; processing; properties; application
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Preparation and Applications of Assembled Hydrogels
edited by
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 177 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogel; supramolecular assembly; nanostructure; stimuli-responsiveness; tissue engineering; drug delivery; biosensor; biomedical device
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Recent Advances in Novel Hydrogels and Aerogels
edited by , and Lingbin Lu
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 980 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerogels; hydrogels; polymers; composites; insulation; biomedicine; soft robotics; green chemistry; building materials; functional properties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Functional Gels for Dental Applications
edited by , and Anna Carolina Volpi Mello-Moura
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 17611 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional gels; hydrogels; biomaterials; dental applications; oral disease prevention; regenerative dentistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Biopolymer-Based Gels for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 12900 | Submission Open
Keywords: polysaccharides; proteins; biopolymers; gel development; gel evaluation; formulation optimization; gels in cancer therapy; tissue engineering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Aerogels: Recent Progress in Novel Applications
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 12488 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerogels; gels; polymer; biomass; thermal insulation; aerospace
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Food Hydrocolloids and Hydrogels: Rheology and Texture Analysis
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 10919 | Submission Open
Keywords: food hydrocolloids; hydrogels; rheology; texture analysis; viscoelasticity; gelation; gelling agents; emulsifiers; protein– polysaccharide interactions; biopolymer networks
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Novel Polymer Gels: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 9455 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymer gels; chemical and physical crosslinking; stimuli-responsive; self-healing; drug delivery; tissue engineering; soft robotics; sensors; environmental
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Advanced Hydrogel for Water Treatment (2nd Edition)
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 8275 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogel; desalination; atmospheric condensation; heavy metal ions; organics removal; water treatment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Recent Advance in Food Gels (3rd Edition)
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5295 | Submission Open
Keywords: emerging protein resources; polysaccharides; self-assembly; microstructure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5200 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage conservation; nanomaterials; advanced materials; green chemistry; hydrogels; organogels; soft matter; cleaning; physical gels; chemical gels; gel characterization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Recent Advances in Gels for Pharmaceutical Application
edited by , and Daiva Majienė
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4832 | Submission Open
Keywords: gel; hydrogel; bigels; nanogel; microgel; gel-related formulation; encapsulation techniques; drug delivery; drug targeting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Rational Design and Applications of Hydrogels in Regenerative Medicine
edited by Diego Trucco and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 4825 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced biomaterials; hydrogel design; hydrogel functionalization; hydrogel characterization; tissue regeneration; tissue substitution; in vitro models; regenerative medicine
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Polymer-Based Hydrogels Applied in Drug Delivery
edited by Laura Nižić Nodilo and Mario Jug
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 4586 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymer-based hydrogel; controlled drug release; targeted drug delivery; rheological characterization; viscoelastic systems; texture analysis; biocompatibility; muco-adhesion; natural polymers; novel (multi)functional polymers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
3D Printing of Gel-Based Materials (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4400 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymers; 3D printing; hydrogels; bioengineering; bioprinting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 4066 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; organogels; hydrogels; chemical gels; gels made in mixtures; gels made in solvents; drug delivery; drug crystallization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Gels for Skin Treatment and Wound Healing
edited by Anca Daniela Raiciu
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3045 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; hydrogels; gemmoderivatives; wound healing; skin treatment; gemmotherapy; anti-inflammatory; tissue regeneration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Smart Hydrogel-Type Formulations: New Insights Regarding Design and Biomedical Applications
edited by , and Georgeta Coneac
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2664 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; gelling formulations; stimuli-responsive hydrogels; magnetic hydrogels; light-cured hydrogels; metallic hydrogels; manufacturing process (design); physicochemical features; mechanical properties; biological activity; cancer therapy; drug delivery platforms; drug integration; materials encapsulation; drug release kinetics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Plant-Based Gels for Food Applications submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 2313 | Submission Open
Keywords: alternative proteins; hydrogels; oleogels; bigels; food structure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Food Gels: Fabrication, Characterization, and Application (2nd Edition)
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2310 | Submission Open
Keywords: food gel; proteins; polysaccharides; lipids; formulation and structure design; structure– property relationship; gel-based foods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Design of Hydrogels and Hydrogel-Derived Materials: Focus on Wastewater, Agriculture, and Biomedicine
edited by , Víctor Campos-Requena and Manuel Francisco Melendrez Castro
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 2050 | Submission Open
Keywords: superabsorbents; hydrogels; controlled-release hydrogels in agriculture; controlled-release hydrogels in biomedicine; hydrogels for contaminant removal; hybrid and nanocomposite hydrogels for contaminant degradation; hydrogel design and characterization; application of hydrogels for environmental sustainability; agriculture and biomedicine; nanocomposite hydrogels; hybrid hydrogels; bio-based hydrogels; hydrogels for wound healing; hydrogels as scaffolds for biomedicine; hydrogel-like materials in cell growth applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Synthesis of Novel Antimicrobial Gels
edited by Kun Lei, and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1277 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; aerogels  ; cryogels; organogels; ionic gels; eutectogels; metal nanoparticles; metallic oxide nanoparticles; antibiotics; biological extracts; synthetic antibacterial drugs; antibacterial polymers; antibacterial peptides; amphoteric ions; photothermal materials; nano-enzymes; covalent organic frameworks
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
State-of-the-Art Gel Research in Romania
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1148 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; hydrogels; organogels; supramolecular gels; macromolecular gels; gel-based materials; aerogels; metallogels; gel composites; functional gels; gel applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Chemistry and Physics)
Advanced Responsive Hydrogels and Their Applications in Biomedicine and Energy Science
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 360 | Submission Open
Keywords: stimuli-responsive; hybrid hydrogels; smart gel materials; biocompatible; biomaterials; energy science
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Advances in Xerogels: From Design to Applications (3rd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 356 | Submission Open
Keywords: xerogels synthesis; xerogels fundamentals; xerogels properties; xerogels applications; physical-chemical features of xerogels; xerogels structural-property correlations; xerogels dynamical-property correlations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Gels for Water Treatment (2nd Edition) submission deadline 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 173 | Submission Open
Keywords: gels; nano-hybrid gels; water treatments; emerging contaminants; water remediations; innovative techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Advances and Application of Polymer Gels for Subsurface Energy and Storage
edited by and Jingyang Pu
submission deadline 15 May 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 7368 | Submission Open
Keywords: in-situ polymer gels and preformed particle gels for sweep efficiency improvement and/or water management; microgels and nanogels for improved oil recovery; polymer gels for hydraulic fracturing fluids; gels for temporary plugging in acid stimulation; hydraulic fracturing; unconventional EOR; or EGR; gels for geothermal recovery efficiency enhancement; gels for CO2 storage efficiency improvement and leakage control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hydrogels in Biomedicine: Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering submission deadline 15 May 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2509 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogel; drug delivery; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; peripheral nerve regeneration; biomaterials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
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