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Tailoring Gelation Mechanisms for Advanced Hydrogel Applications
Author(s) -
Nele Valeria,
Wojciechowski Jonathan P.,
Armstrong James P. K.,
Stevens Molly M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202002759
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , rational design , nanotechnology , materials science , drug delivery , tissue engineering , computer science , biomedical engineering , engineering , polymer chemistry
Hydrogels are one of the most commonly explored classes of biomaterials. Their chemical and structural versatility has enabled their use across a wide range of applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cell culture. Hydrogels form upon a sol–gel transition, which can be elicited by different triggers designed to enable precise control over hydrogelation kinetics and hydrogel structure. The chosen hydrogelation trigger and chemistry can have a profound effect on the success of the targeted application. In this Progress Report, a critical overview of recent advances in hydrogel design is presented, with a focus on the available strategies used to trigger the formation of hydrogel networks (e.g., temperature, light, ultrasound). These triggers are presented within a new classification system, and their suitability for six key hydrogel‐based applications is assessed. This Progress Report is intended to guide trigger selection for new hydrogel applications and inspire the rational design of new hydrogelation trigger mechanisms.