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Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition)
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Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 6573

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ecaterina Stela Dragan

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41 A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: hydrogels; drug delivery; multiresponsive; sorption; heavy metals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

“Gels” is a term encompassing a wide range of materials of importance, and is now suggested to have a wider application than was once thought. Their presence in products extends from cosmetics to building materials; from elastic gels to glassy solids; from mineral solutions to clays; from 3D regeneration materials to drug and biological cell carriers; from sub atomic to atomic to molecular and supramolecular structures; and from hydrogels to emulgels and nanogels. The spectrum is wide enough to include soft and compression-resistant gels that are resilient enough to rapidly return to their original shape within minutes, even after the repeated application of stresses as large as 1000 kilograms.

Currently, the work of female scientists is still either overlooked or more often attributed to their male colleagues. A general erasure of their contributions to science is frequently perceived, and often they go unrecognised. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 30% of the scientific researchers identified globally are women. Their strategic role in all walks of life, including science, is being increasingly acknowledged. In addition, its first edition published 16 papers, which you can find at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/gels/special_issues/Woman_Gel.

With this in mind, the current Special Issue aims to highlight women’s contributions in ‘Gel Science’ and to facilitate collaboration opportunities at an interdisciplinary and global level. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive collection of works by eminent women scientists from all around the globe relating to the recent advances and developments in the ever-expanding domain of gels.

We strongly welcome contributions in the field of gel science submitted by female authors, either corresponding or first authors; this is the only requirement to submit to this Special Issue. Rather than a form of ‘tokenism’, this Special Issue is about women being recognised as enjoying science as much as men do, if not more. We hope that this will encourage female authors to be featured equally and as a matter of course in this domain in the future.

This Special Issue endeavours to cover a broad range of topics related to gels, with state-of-the-art commentaries on all aspects of gel research from contributors across the globe, providing an authoritative and timely overview of the field. It will be a useful educational and scientific tool for academicians, researchers, chemists, biologists, health professionals, students, those in the pharma/cosmetic industry, and businessmen worldwide.

We welcome submissions from all authors, irrespective of gender.

Dr. Ecaterina Stela Dragan
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

  • supramolecular materials
  • nano-structured materials (particles, fibres, colloids, composites)
  • nano- and macroporous materials (aerogels, organogels, metallogels, xerogels, cryogels, hydrogels)
  • functional coatings, thin films, and membranes (including deposition techniques)
  • development and characterization of sol–gel and hybrid materials
  • modelling, computational tools, and theoretical studies on gels
  • gel materials for biological and health (medical) applications
  • polymer gels, protein gels, and self-healing gels
  • sol–gel and hybrid materials with surface modifications for applications
  • devices based on sol–gel or hybrid materials
  • structure, dynamics, kinetics, and equilibrium thermodynamics in gel structures
  • biomimetic hydrogels as tissue engineering 3D scaffolds for mechanically supporting cells in the engineered tissues, and to simulate the native extracellular matrix

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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20 pages, 3775 KB  
Article
Tailoring Cellulose Derivative Gel Matrices for Bacillus subtilis Delivery: Effects of Polymer Molecular Weight on Stability and Biocontrol
by Petya Tsekova, Nasko Nachev, Iliyana Valcheva, Donka Draganova, Mariya Spasova and Olya Stoilova
Gels 2026, 12(5), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12050366 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2026
Abstract
Cellulose-derived gel films are promising matrices for the immobilization and delivery of beneficial microorganisms in sustainable plant protection. This study evaluated the effects of polymer molecular weight and chemical structure on the physicochemical properties and biocontrol performance of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) films of [...] Read more.
Cellulose-derived gel films are promising matrices for the immobilization and delivery of beneficial microorganisms in sustainable plant protection. This study evaluated the effects of polymer molecular weight and chemical structure on the physicochemical properties and biocontrol performance of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) films of low, medium, and high molecular weight, as well as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), loaded with Bacillus subtilis. The films were characterized in terms of morphology, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, microbial viability, and antifungal activity against Fusarium avenaceum and Alternaria solani. Increasing HEC molecular weight produced progressively denser and more homogeneous gel networks, resulting in improved structural integrity, whereas CMC-Na formed dense but less stable networks. Swelling studies at pH 4, 7, and 9 showed high water uptake for all HEC systems, with enhanced structural stability observed in high-molecular-weight films, whereas CMC-Na dissolved rapidly under all conditions. Mechanical testing further confirmed that increasing molecular weight enhanced stiffness and tensile strength but reduced flexibility. Immobilized in gel matrices, B. subtilis remained viable after 12 months of storage and rapidly reactivated after rehydration. All biohybrid films inhibited fungal growth, with stronger formulation-dependent responses against F. avenaceum than against A. solani. In general, polymer molecular weight and structure were identified as key parameters controlling network organization, hydration behavior, mechanical performance, and biological functionality. These findings highlight the potential of cellulose-derived gel matrices as tunable carriers for microbial biocontrol applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition))
25 pages, 1982 KB  
Article
A Novel Bioactive Emulgel with Phlomis kurdica: Antioxidant Potential, Enzyme Inhibition and Permeation Kinetics
by Tuğba Buse Şentürk, Timur Hakan Barak, Emre Şefik Çağlar, Emine Saldamlı, Ebru Özdemir Nath and Zafer Ömer Özdemir
Gels 2026, 12(3), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12030240 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 412
Abstract
Phlomis L., with more than 100 species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is a genus encompassing a diverse group of plants known for their rich phytochemical profiles and important medicinal properties. Phlomis kurdica Rech. fil. is a member of this genus widely distributed [...] Read more.
Phlomis L., with more than 100 species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is a genus encompassing a diverse group of plants known for their rich phytochemical profiles and important medicinal properties. Phlomis kurdica Rech. fil. is a member of this genus widely distributed in the Middle East, especially in Iran, Iraq and Türkiye. In traditional medicine, Phlomis species have been employed in the treatment of various disorders, particularly skin conditions such as wound healing, as well as diabetes, hemorrhoids, inflammation, and gastric ulcers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities of Phlomis kurdica on skin-related enzymes and to evaluate its phytochemical properties using HPTLC, LC-MS/MS. Additionally, an emulgel formulation was developed with methanolic extract of the plant and characterized in terms of spreadability, textural profile analysis, pH, viscosity, and content quantification determination. In vitro release and rheology studies were carried out following the characterization investigations. According to our investigations, P. kurdica may be a useful component of wrinkle prevention and skin-regenerating products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition))
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14 pages, 4055 KB  
Article
Rheological Flow Behavior of Six Gelling Agents and Their Relevance for In Vitro Culture Performance of Medicinal Plants
by Doina Clapa, Monica Hârţa, Bernadette-Emőke Teleky, Ana-Maria Radomir, Adrian George Peticilă and Dorin Ioan Sumedrea
Gels 2026, 12(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12020163 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 749
Abstract
Gelling agents are widely used to solidify plant tissue culture media, yet differences among commercial products may influence the medium’s physical properties and in vitro development of explants. The aim of this study was to characterize the rheological behavior of six gelling agents [...] Read more.
Gelling agents are widely used to solidify plant tissue culture media, yet differences among commercial products may influence the medium’s physical properties and in vitro development of explants. The aim of this study was to characterize the rheological behavior of six gelling agents (Daishin agar, Gelcarin, Gelrite, Microagar, Phytoagar, and Plant agar) and to examine it in parallel with in vitro performance in Hypericum perforatum, Mentha × piperita, and Stevia rebaudiana. Rheological measurements were performed under steady shear by recording apparent viscosity and shear stress across 5–300 s−1. Daishin agar showed the highest apparent viscosity (49,028.95 ± 128 mPa·s), whereas Gelrite exhibited the lowest viscosity (7826.75 ± 98 mPa·s). Plant responses were evaluated after four weeks on PGR-free Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut (DKW) medium by assessing shoot growth, rooting parameters, and shoot water content. In H. perforatum, the longest shoots were obtained on Gelrite (3.92 ± 0.34 cm), accompanied by the highest rooting percentage (95%). In M. × piperita, Gelcarin produced the longest shoots (8.20 ± 0.55 cm) and the highest number of roots per explant (9.75). In S. rebaudiana, Gelcarin promoted superior root elongation (2.86 ± 0.16 cm) and enhanced shoot growth, while Plant agar also supported favorable shoot development. Shoot water content ranged between 74% and 90%, depending on species and gelling agent. These findings highlight the practical relevance of considering low-shear rheological properties when comparing gelling agents for improving the consistency of in vitro culture media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition))
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35 pages, 14460 KB  
Article
Epoxy-Functional (Alkyl)methacrylate-Based Hybrids Reinforced with Layered Silicate Montmorillonite: From Mechanistic Study to Sustainable Wastewater Treatment
by Berran Sanay, Rabia Bozbay, Sena Ciftbudak, Zeynep Ulker, Sevval Teke, Zuhal Akyol, Elif Pelin Ozdemir and Nermin Orakdogen
Gels 2025, 11(10), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11100803 - 7 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 852
Abstract
This work aims to design versatile hybrids fabricated by poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) gels loaded with pristine montmorillonite, P(HPMA-co-GMA)/Mmt, by varying the clay content. Insights into design of epoxy-functional hybrids were provided by combining in situ copolymerization reactions with solution mixing to evaluate the [...] Read more.
This work aims to design versatile hybrids fabricated by poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) gels loaded with pristine montmorillonite, P(HPMA-co-GMA)/Mmt, by varying the clay content. Insights into design of epoxy-functional hybrids were provided by combining in situ copolymerization reactions with solution mixing to evaluate the effect of aluminosilicate addition on structure–property changes in (alkyl)methacrylate-based gels. Comprehensive analyses were conducted regarding the composition and structural properties of hybrids in the presence of Mmt. The hybrids exhibited excellent swelling, salt surfactant tolerance, and pH sensitivity depending on the composition. The higher the Mmt concentration, the lower the swelling ratio; however, the compressive moduli did not change monotonically with increasing Mmt from 0.80 to 2.20% (w/v). Dye adsorption revealed the effects of variables (dye type, pH, contact time, concentration) on adsorptive properties of hybrids towards cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionic sunset yellow, allura red, blue brilliant, carmoisine, and tartrazine dyes. Adsorption kinetics of MB obeyed pseudo-second-order model, and the maximum dye adsorption capacity for hybrids increased from 5.01 mg g−1 to 16.42 mg g−1, while adsorption isotherms were defined by the Freundlich model. The proposed hybrids have emerged as alternative materials that enable multiple uses of same adsorbent for the removal of different types of pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition))
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29 pages, 8494 KB  
Article
Nanocomposite Cryogels Based on Chitosan for Efficient Removal of a Triphenylmethane Dye from Aqueous Systems
by Maria Marinela Lazar, Claudiu-Augustin Ghiorghita, Daniela Rusu and Maria Valentina Dinu
Gels 2025, 11(9), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11090729 - 11 Sep 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 842
Abstract
This work addresses the environmental challenge represented by persistent triphenylmethane dyes in aquatic systems through the development of chitosan (CS)–zeolite nanocomposite cryogels for the adsorption of chrome azurol S (CAS), as model dye. Nanocomposite cryogels were prepared via cryogelation at −20 °C with [...] Read more.
This work addresses the environmental challenge represented by persistent triphenylmethane dyes in aquatic systems through the development of chitosan (CS)–zeolite nanocomposite cryogels for the adsorption of chrome azurol S (CAS), as model dye. Nanocomposite cryogels were prepared via cryogelation at −20 °C with systematic variation in cross-linker concentration and zeolite content to modulate the network architecture and sorption performance. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization (SEM, EDX, FTIR) demonstrated that an intermediate cross-linker content (7.5 wt.% GA) combined with moderate zeolite loading (20 wt.%) yielded cryogels with the highest gel fraction yield and a homogeneous, highly interconnected macroporous structure. Swelling experiments at pH 1.2 revealed rapid water uptake equilibrium within 10 min, whereas adsorption isotherm analysis indicated that CAS sorption followed the Freundlich model, consistent with multilayer physical adsorption. The highest CAS adsorption capacity was achieved by CSGA5Z40 (250.81 mg g−1), indicating that low cross-linking combined with high zeolite loading maximizes uptake. These findings demonstrate that chitosan–zeolite nanocomposite cryogels are promising, reusable, and tunable adsorbents for sustainable removal of persistent dyes from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 4186 KB  
Article
Encapsulation of Bacillus subtilis in Chitosan Gel Beads for Eco-Friendly Crop Protection
by Vladimir Krastev, Nikoleta Stoyanova, Iliyana Valcheva, Donka Draganova, Mariya Spasova and Olya Stoilova
Gels 2025, 11(4), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040302 - 19 Apr 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2919
Abstract
Chitosan gel beads represent a promising biopolymer-based delivery system for encapsulating Bacillus subtilis, an effective biocontrol agent in sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the influence of chitosan molecular weight on bead structure, water retention, and swelling behavior, as well as its impact [...] Read more.
Chitosan gel beads represent a promising biopolymer-based delivery system for encapsulating Bacillus subtilis, an effective biocontrol agent in sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the influence of chitosan molecular weight on bead structure, water retention, and swelling behavior, as well as its impact on the viability and antifungal activity of encapsulated B. subtilis. The results demonstrate that chitosan provides a protective microenvironment, enhancing microbial viability, promoting colonization, and ensuring controlled release for prolonged plant protection. Moreover, encapsulation within chitosan gel beads preserved bacterial viability during long-term storage for up to 90 and 180 days. Additionally, the biodegradable and antimicrobial properties of chitosan contribute to pathogen suppression while supporting the plant growth-promoting activities of B. subtilis. The encapsulated bioagent exhibited strong antifungal activity against Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani, highlighting the effectiveness of this eco-friendly approach as an alternative to chemical pesticides. These findings underscore the potential of chitosan-based formulations to enhance the efficacy of bioinoculants, offering a sustainable solution for modern crop management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Gels (2nd Edition))
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