Scope

In recent decades, the unique properties attributed to hydrogels have been exploited in numerous applications. Their use in biomedical applications is particularly encouraged due to their hydrophilic and tunable physicochemical and morphological properties. These soft materials are some of the most promising scaffolding biomaterials used, for example, in tissue engineering. To deal with this kind of application, hydrogels must exhibit properties that often mimic natural tissues, which includes self-healing mechanisms and strain-stiffening. Currently, the development of hydrogels with previously unrealised properties, such as the inherent ability of native tissues to regenerate when damaged, has motivated many researchers to concentrate their efforts on this exciting research field.
This Special Issue invites the submission of original manuscripts reporting on studies into the development, characterization, and application of hydrogels not only in tissue engineering but broadly across the biomedical research field. Specific topics include polymer modification, hydrogel synthesis and characterization, self-healing properties and mechanisms, and the use of nanofillers to induce self-healing. Moreover, studies reporting the use of these self-healing hydrogels in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and others are highly encouraged.

Topics including, but not limited to:
Biomaterials
Self-Healing Hydrogels
Polymer Modification
Hydrogel Synthesis
Hydrogel Composites
Adhesive HydrogelsSelf-Healing Mechanism
Injectable Hydrogels
Tissue Engineering
Scaffolding
Wound Healing
Drug Delivery

https://peerj.com/special-issues/103-hydrogels