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Open research questions in Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications

122 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 486 Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Investigating the effects of different functional groups on the gel properties, - Exploring the application of the H6 + K + gel in electronic soft materials, - Studying the temperature-controlled regulation of material conductivity

    Efficient tuning of conductive gel properties via branch engineering · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of a single conductive gel material that meets diverse mechanical and chemical requirements of different applications. The need for a method to enhance gel stability and conductivity. The limited understanding of the effects of different functional groups on the gel properties.

    Efficient tuning of conductive gel properties via branch engineering · 2026 · DOI

  • Maintaining effective local drug concentrations in the oral cavity due to its unique environment. Achieving sufficient responsive gradients for stimuli-responsive hydrogels in the oral cavity. Overcoming the limited light penetration depth for light-responsive hydrogels in the oral cavity.

    A Mini Review of Functional Hydrogels for the Treatment of Oral Diseases: Opportunities and Future Prospects · 2026 · DOI

  • limited by the inherent properties of conventional oral biomaterials, - limited local temperature variation inside the oral cavity, - limited light penetration depth caused by tissue obstruction

    A Mini Review of Functional Hydrogels for the Treatment of Oral Diseases: Opportunities and Future Prospects · 2026 · DOI

  • One challenge is the development of intelligent delivery systems capable of precisely shuttling therapeutics to colonic inflammatory foci. Another challenge is the need for high specificity and ability to recognize abnormal signals within the microenvironment of inflammatory bowel disease lesions. The paper also highlights the challenge of eliminating excessive ROS at the lesion sites to disrupt the positive feedback vicious cycle of 'ROS→M1 polarization→more ROS'.

    Recent progress in stimuli-responsive hydrogel-based drug delivery for inflammatory bowel disease · 2026 · DOI

  • Suboptimal targeting specificity and insufficient local drug accumulation at the lesion site remain formidable obstacles in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Currently available clinical therapeutic drugs have limitations including poor targeting efficiency and significant toxic side effects. The development of intelligent delivery systems capable of precisely shuttling therapeutics to colonic inflammatory foci is needed.

    Recent progress in stimuli-responsive hydrogel-based drug delivery for inflammatory bowel disease · 2026 · DOI

  • Clear aligner therapy has expanded rapidly over the past two decades; yet clinical efficiency, biomechanical predictability, and long-term enamel preservation remain limited by the current generation of attachments, bonding protocols, and aligner materials.

    Clear aligners: between clinical inertia and dormant disruption · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the underlying network-related mechanisms remain to be further verified by direct structural characterization in future studies.

    Effect of tannic acid content on the properties and antibacterial activity of Shapeable polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/tannic acid/borax (PBST) composite hydrogels · 2026 · DOI

  • Oral administration of polysaccharide-iron complexes (UCP-Fe(III)) is limited by their degradation in the gastric environment, which reduces bioavailability.

    pH-Responsive Sustained-Release Hydrogel Microspheres for the Protection, Delivery and Release of Oral Polysaccharide Iron · 2025 · DOI

  • Yet, it remains unclear how the carrier of the cross-linker affects the gelation process and final hydrogel properties.

    Glucono-Delta-Lactone-Induced Alginate Gelation: New Insights into the Effect of the Cross-Linker Carrier Type on the Hydrogel Mechanics · 2024 · DOI

  • Further development of alginate-based hydrogels and particulate systems for pharmaceutical delivery and biomedical research. Investigation of new modification strategies to improve alginate properties.

    Alginate-Based Hydrogels and Particulate Systems: Preparation Techniques, Adaptations, and Utilizations in Pharmaceutical Delivery and Biomedical Research · 2026 · DOI

  • Inherent limitations of alginate-based hydrogels and particulate systems, including inadequate mechanical strength and uncontrolled degradation. Need for modification strategies to address these limitations.

    Alginate-Based Hydrogels and Particulate Systems: Preparation Techniques, Adaptations, and Utilizations in Pharmaceutical Delivery and Biomedical Research · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to improve biodegradation of alginate for biomedical applications. The challenge of managing chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers and venous ulcers. The difficulty in controlling the degradation of typical alginate gels.

    Alginate-Based Biomaterials: From Fundamental “Egg-Box” Chemistry to Diverse Biomedical and Metabolic Management of Obesity and Diabetes · 2026 · DOI

  • The generation of excess exudates, impaired circulation and infections make chronic wounds difficult to manage, - The slow and poorly controlled degradation of typical alginate gels is a limitation, - The need for appropriate post-extraction refinement methods to guarantee the purity of alginates

    Alginate-Based Biomaterials: From Fundamental “Egg-Box” Chemistry to Diverse Biomedical and Metabolic Management of Obesity and Diabetes · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on the development of smart polymer-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy and diabetes management. The use of smart polymers in tissue engineering should be explored further.

    Smart Polymers in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Stimuli-Responsive Systems for Targeted Drug Release · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for more research on the applications of smart polymers in pharmaceutical sciences. The regulatory considerations and challenges for smart polymer-based drug delivery systems need to be addressed.

    Smart Polymers in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Stimuli-Responsive Systems for Targeted Drug Release · 2026 · DOI

  • The study only considers the swelling behavior of poly(acrylamid-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels. The experimental tests are limited to 1-D and 2-D confinements.

    Mechanics of confined swelling in hydrogels · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper demonstrates that understanding gel-confinement contact pressure and contact area evolution is fundamental for tuning and designing of gel-based smart and active devices, but specific applications in chemo-mechanical sensing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, soft robotics, and cultural heritage conservation require further development.

    Mechanics of confined swelling in hydrogels · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigation of more environmentally friendly raw materials, - Development of scalable techniques, such as 3D printing and electrospinning, - Exploration of multifunctional designs for biomedical and energy applications.

    Eutectogel-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Advancements and Pharmaceutical Applications · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited understanding of eutectogel properties and applications, - Need for development of eutectogels with improved stability and release profiles for drugs.

    Eutectogel-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Advancements and Pharmaceutical Applications · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigation of the use of the cryogels in vivo. Evaluation of the use of the cryogels for drug delivery and release applications. Investigation of the use of the cryogels for other biomedical applications.

    Superporous cellulose-derived cryogels for tissue engineering applications · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for sustainable and biocompatible materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. There is a need for materials that can be used as scaffolds for cell growth and differentiation.

    Superporous cellulose-derived cryogels for tissue engineering applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of hydrogels with optimized self-healing properties is a gap in the current research. The healing process of a chronic wound usually takes months or even years, and self-healing hydrogels can regenerate themselves to provide the required continuous structure for a long duration.

    Physically crosslinked triple network hydrogels with optimized self healing properties as a drug delivery vehicle · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a need to investigate the properties of Thienoflogin-containing hydrogels. The optimal hydrogel composition with the best Thienoflogin release needs to be determined.

    Pharmacotechnical and structural-mechanical characterization of hydrogels with thienoflogin · 2026 · DOI

  • The influence of iron ions on the structure and water content of acrylic hydrogel AA-co-AAm is not entirely clear. The relationship between the structure and water distribution in the gel and its physical properties is complex and not well understood.

    Study of the influence of iron ions on the structure and water content of acrylic hydrogel AA-co-AAm · 2026 · DOI

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122 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 486 Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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