Applications of Stretchable and Tough Hydrogel Composites
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 250
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Special Issue on “Applications of Stretchable and Tough Hydrogel Composites” highlights the innovative properties and broad utility of these materials in various domains. They have gained significant attention in recent years due to their unique mechanical properties and versatile applications in various fields. These materials primarily comprise hydrophilic polymers that absorb and retain water, resulting in a soft and flexible structure. Incorporating reinforcing agents, such as nanoparticles or fibers, enhances their mechanical strength and toughness, enabling these hydrogels to withstand considerable deformation without failure.
The applications of stretchable and tough hydrogel composites are broad and transformative. In the biomedical field, they are utilized for wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds, providing a biocompatible environment that promotes cell growth and healing. Their mechanical properties make them suitable for soft robotics and wearable devices, where comfort and adaptability to human movement are crucial. Moreover, these hydrogels are being explored in electronics, serving as substrates for flexible sensors and actuators. Their ability to maintain functionality under stretching and bending opens new avenues for developing next-generation smart materials. Furthermore, research continues to focus on improving the sustainability of these composites by incorporating renewable resources and recycling potential.
In conclusion, advancing stretchable and tough hydrogel composites pave the way for innovative applications. I am thrilled to invite you, as renowned experts in the field, to hopefully contribute to this Special Issue and the development of scientific study for tissue engineering and bioprinting.
Prof. Dr. Liang Chen
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- stretchable and tough hydrogel
- biomedical
- soft robotics
- wearable devices and flexible sensors
- smart materials
- renewable resources
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
