3D/4D Printing of Biopolymers: Materials and Design for Healthcare Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Biopolymers and their composites have garnered considerable attention due to their sustainability, biocompatibility, and the improved mechanical properties achieved through the incorporation of reinforcing agents such as fibers or fillers. These materials are increasingly used in sectors including automotive, packaging, and biomedical engineering. In healthcare, their integration with advanced three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing technologies—which enable shape-changing capabilities over time—facilitates the fabrication of customized, functional structures for applications such as tissue scaffolds, prosthetics, and soft robotics.

This Special Issue highlights recent advances in the (bio)printing of biopolymers and their composites, particularly those that are biodegradable or stimuli responsive. We welcome contributions focused on the design, processing, and characterization of these materials, as well as the implementation of computational tools—such as finite element analysis, constitutive modeling, and machine learning—to support material development and performance prediction. Submissions integrating experimental validation, including in vitro and/or in vivo testing, are especially encouraged to strengthen the link between material innovation and real-world application.

Prof. Dr. Nuno Manuel Fernandes Alves
Dr. Marco A. N. Domingos
Guest Editors

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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.