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.

Section
Search by Title/Keyword
 
Order results
Display
Results per page
Aerogels and Composites Aerogels submission deadline 28 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 616 | Submission Open
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 104 | 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 | 14 articles | Viewed by 23106 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymer gels; oil and gas production; oil reservoirs; gel fracturing fluid
(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 7897 | 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)
Next-Generation Hydrogels: Bridging Biology and Engineering for Medical Breakthroughs submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 7231 | 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 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6991 | 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 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4039 | 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)
Food Gels: Structures, Properties and Applications
edited by , Jianhui Xiao, , Ruixuan Zhao and Jing Li
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 3962 | 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)
Hybrid Hydrogels: From Biomaterials Development to Eco-Friendly Approaches
edited by Gabriela Craciun, , and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 2525 | 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 | 1 articles | Viewed by 862 | 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)
Research and Application of Edible Gels
edited by , , and Huan Zhang
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 619 | Submission Open
Keywords: edible gels; stimuli-responsive films; sustainable production; plant-based Proteins; dysphagia-friendly foods; agricultural waste valorization; 3D-printed foods; technical bottlenecks
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
New Gels for Medical Applications submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 429 | Submission Open
Keywords: hybrid hydrogels; polymer matrices; aerogels; xerogels; micro/nanogels
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Chemistry and Physics)
Advanced Gelatin Materials for Regenerative Medicine
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 319 | 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)
Functional Gels Applied in Energy Storage Systems
edited by Xiaojiang Mu and Lina Ma
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 230 | Submission Open
Keywords: solar interfacial evaporation; hydrogel; aerogel; photothermal conversion; lithium battery; radiation cooling; thermoelectric conversion
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Hydrogels for Encapsulation Applications submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 135 | 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 91 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerogel; porous materials; composite; electrochemistry; electrocatalyst
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Current Directions and Prospects of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications (2nd Edition) submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 73 | 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 | Viewed by 73 | 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)
Modification of Gels in Creating New Food Products (2nd Edition) submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 72 | 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)
New Advances in Synthesis of Smart and Tough Hydrogel
edited by and Lingyun Wang
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 66 | Submission Open
Keywords: smart hydrogel; tough hydrogel; stimuli-responsive; hydrogel; double-network hydrogel; self-healing material; injectable hydrogel; 3D printing; tissue engineering; nanocomposite hydrogel; soft robotics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Design of Supramolecular Hydrogels (2nd Edition)
edited by Dipankar Ghosh, Gareth O. Lloyd and Elina I. Sievanen
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 65 | Submission Open
Keywords: designing new supramolecular hydrogelators; prediction of gel properties; mechanism of self-assembly; hydrogel characterization; structure– property relationship; applications in diverse fields; smart hydrogels; 3D/4D printing; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; controlled release systems; biodegradable hydrogels
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Hydrogels: Promising Biomaterials for Wound Healing and Cartilage Regeneration
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 32 | 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 29 | 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)
Preparation and Applications of Assembled Hydrogels
edited by
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 30 | 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 | Viewed by 74 | 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)
Biopolymer-Based Gels for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2744 | 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 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2728 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerogels; gels; polymer; biomass; thermal insulation; aerospace
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Polymer-Based Hydrogels Applied in Drug Delivery
edited by Laura Nižić Nodilo and Mario Jug
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1988 | 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)
Smart Hydrogel-Type Formulations: New Insights Regarding Design and Biomedical Applications
edited by , and Georgeta Coneac
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1283 | 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)
Rational Design and Applications of Hydrogels in Regenerative Medicine
edited by Diego Trucco and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 920 | 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)
Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 859 | 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 | 1 articles | Viewed by 781 | 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)
Recent Advance in Food Gels (3rd Edition)
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 641 | Submission Open
Keywords: emerging protein resources; polysaccharides; self-assembly; microstructure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
3D Printing of Gel-Based Materials (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 555 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymers; 3D printing; hydrogels; bioengineering; bioprinting
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Novel Polymer Gels: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 555 | 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)
Gels for Skin Treatment and Wound Healing
edited by Anca Daniela Raiciu
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 458 | 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)
Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 294 | 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)
Advanced Responsive Hydrogels and Their Applications in Biomedicine and Energy Science
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 213 | 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 206 | 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)
Plant-Based Gels for Food Applications submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 202 | Submission Open
Keywords: alternative proteins; hydrogels; oleogels; bigels; food structure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Synthesis of Novel Antimicrobial Gels
edited by Kun Lei, and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 106 | 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)
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 | Viewed by 41 | 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)
State-of-the-Art Gel Research in Romania
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 37 | 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)
Food Gels: Fabrication, Characterization, and Application (2nd Edition)
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 24 | 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)
Gels for Water Treatment (2nd Edition) submission deadline 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 32 | 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 5245 | 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 | Viewed by 5 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogel; drug delivery; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; peripheral nerve regeneration; biomaterials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Gel Formation Processes and Materials for Functional Thin Films
edited by Denitsa K. Elenkova, and
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 2687 | Submission Open
Keywords: sol– gel method; gels; thin films; deep coating; spin coating; film applications; membranes
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Processing and Engineering)
Recent Advances in Gel-Based Materials for Wound Healing
edited by He Liu
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 37 | Submission Open
Keywords: wound healing; gels; antibacterial; stimulus response; drug delivery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Applications)
Design and Development of Gelatin-Based Materials (2nd Edition)
edited by Bing Zhang
submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 24 | Submission Open
Keywords: gelatin based material; hemostatic materials; tissue adhesives; regeneration medicine; GelMA hydrogel; plasma substitutes; tissue engineering scaffolds
(This special issue belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
Back to TopTop