Advancements in Biopolymer-Based Functional Hydrogels for Intelligent Wearable Devices and Textiles

Dear Colleagues,

Growing social, economic and environmental demands increase the need for green and sustainable materials and technologies. Biopolymer-based hydrogels are hydrogels containing polymers produced or derived from living organisms, including plants and microbes. These polymers are naturally abundant, affordable, biodegradable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly, attracting research attention as sustainable alternatives to replace their petroleum-sourced counterparts. Furthermore, their mechanical properties, tunable morphology, easily modifiable structure attributable to their chemical versatility and other unique, inherent physicochemical and structural properties have made them attractive as a suitable backbone for advancing hydrogel technology for widespread applications, including intelligent wearables.

This Special Issue aims to enhance the visibility of research on recent progress in biopolymer-based functional hydrogels and provide a platform for researchers worldwide to share advances and fundamental knowledge in biopolymer-based hydrogels, illuminating future directions to advance hydrogel technology for intelligent wearables. The Special Issue covers, but is not limited to, the synthesis and characterization of hydrogels containing polysaccharides (e.g., alginate, cellulose and its derivatives, chitin, chitosan and their derivatives, starch and xanthan gum) and protein-based polymers (e.g., gelatin and silk) for intelligent wearables such as wearable batteries and smart fabrics. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hong Zhao
Dr. Kindness Alfred Uyanga
Guest Editors

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