Hydrogels: multifunctional biomaterials with versatile applications

Abstract

ABSTRACTHydrogels have gained significant attention due to their unique properties, such as high-water absorption capacity, biocompatibility, and tunable mechanical properties. Hydrogels are versatile materials that have been extensively researched and developed for various applications in various fields. The development of hydrogels has undergone several stages, from early synthetic gels to more advanced smart gels and biomimetic hydrogels. The properties of hydrogels, such as swelling behavior, biocompatibility, and stimuli responsiveness, make them attractive materials for various applications. The review has highlighted some of the current and potential applications of hydrogels, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, and agriculture. Hydrogels have shown great potential in these areas, and ongoing research is expected to lead to further innovations and advancements. The future of hydrogel research and development will likely involve exploring new materials, development of exploring new materials, developing improved synthesis techniques, and creating more complex and functional hydrogel systems. This review paper has highlighted hydrogel's historical development, types, properties, and applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, biosensors, and agriculture.KEYWORDS: Biomedical applicationsdrug delivery agentshydrogelssmart materialstissue engineering Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsDivya Bajpai TripathyDr. Divya Bajpai Tripathy is currently a full time Professor in the Department of Chemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India. I have research and teaching experience of more than 12 years. She has more than 78 research publications in reputed Journals/Book/ Book chapters/Conference proceedings and patent filed to her credit. She has guided 12 Masters research students. Currently eight doctorate students have been registered under her supervision. She has been principal investigator in a DST funded research project. She has a research collaboration with Prof. M.A. Quraishi, King Fahd University, Saudi Arab, Dr. Anjali Gupta, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Prof. Anuradha Mishra, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida