Polymer Hydrogels and Networks

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer hydrogels, with their high water content, softness, and biocompatibility, are uniquely suited to mimic natural tissues. Their highly designable architectures and adaptive responses make them promising materials for human–machine interfaces, electronic skins, biosensors, and tissue regeneration. Among various design parameters, network structure and crosslinking chemistry are the key determinants of hydrogel properties, governing their mechanical performance, stability, and functional versatility.

Recent advances in network structure design—including double networks, slide-ring systems, and other high-order architectures—have markedly enhanced the mechanical strength, toughness, and adaptability of hydrogels. At the same time, innovations in crosslinking chemistry and physical interactions, such as dynamic covalent bonds, supramolecular assemblies, and hydrophobic or host–guest associations, have imparted hydrogels with exceptional properties including self-recovery, injectability, and responsiveness to external stimuli. Together, these strategies are opening new avenues for tailoring hydrogels with multifunctionality, long-term durability, and advanced biomedical applicability.

This Special Issue seeks to showcase cutting-edge research on polymer hydrogels and networks, with particular emphasis on

• Design strategies for polymer hydrogels and networks;
• Advances in network crosslinking chemistry and interactions;
• Characterization of hydrogel mechanics, structure, and properties;
• Development of tough hydrogels with resilience and self-recovery;
• Biomedical applications including human–machine interfaces, electronic skins, and tissue regeneration.

By integrating contributions from polymer science, chemistry, and bioengineering, this Special Issue aims to highlight how network design serves as the key element linking fundamental hydrogel chemistry with advanced functions, thereby guiding future innovations in next-generation hydrogel technologies.

Dr. Hong Chen
Guest Editor

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