Open research questions in Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications
625 gap statements mined from Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 3,692 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.
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What the literature leaves open
The lack of effective delivery systems for active macromolecules. The challenges of maintaining conformational stability under strong acidity. The need for a unidirectional sustained-release vehicle that can release proteins slowly and efficiently.
Intestinal unidirectional sustained-release hydrogel patch designed for stable oral delivery of active nutrient macromolecules based on pH response · 2026 · DOIThere is a need to balance the water absorption properties and biodegradability of superabsorbent polymers. Natural polymers have lower water absorption properties than synthetic polymers. The modification of natural polymers can improve their water absorption properties but may affect their biodegradability.
The need for a comprehensive review of hydrogel synthesis, characterization, and emerging applications. The gap in understanding the properties and preparation methods of hydrogels. The lack of a thorough review of hydrogel applications in biomedicine, sensing, and beyond.
Comprehensive Review of Hydrogel Synthesis, Characterization, and Emerging Applications · 2024 · DOIDespite these advantages, the roles of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and interstitial proteins, particularly albumin, in the mechanisms governing therapeutic pharmacokinetics and bioavailability remain poorly understood.
Chitosan-based ionogels are promising materials for extrusion-based processing, yet the influence of degree of deacetylation (DDA) on gelation and printability remains poorly understood.
Degree of deacetylation governs gelation mechanism, rheology and 3D printability of chitosan ionogels · 2026 · DOIHowever, much microstructural function remains unknown, including how the fiber-cell and cell-cell interactions influence macromechanical properties.
Lung cancer progression is regulated by dynamic alterations in the extracellular matrix (ECM), yet these changes remain insufficiently captured in conventional in vitro models.
Engineering a Lung‐Derived Extracellular Matrix‐GelMA Hydrogel to Elucidate Alterations in Lung Tumor‐Stroma‐On‐Chip · 2026 · DOIThese results showed that the AgNWs assembled into the PAAm/Alg polymers endowed the hydrogel with high electrical conductivity, while excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility, indicating an attractive conductive substrate for further studies on neural tissue repair and regeneration.
Preparation and Characterization of AgNWs Conductive Hydrogel With High Mechanical Performance, High Electrical Conductivity, and Biocompatibility · 2025 · DOIThe mechanical properties of microgels are important across length scales, from macroscale bulk properties of granular assemblies to microscale interactions with cells; however, microgel mechanics are rarely reported due to challenges in their measurement.
Biomaterial-induced macrophage-derived multinucleated cells (MNCs) are often observed at or near material implantation sites, yet their subtypes and roles in tissue repair and wound healing remain unclear.
Viscoelastic Hydrogel Modulates Phenotype of Macrophage‐Derived Multinucleated Cells and Macrophage Differentiation in Foreign Body Reactions · 2024 · DOINeed 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 · DOIBy overcoming historical limitations regarding purity and mechanical strength, alginate-based systems have successfully transitioned from laboratory research to widely utilized commercial products, including advanced wound dressings, tissue scaffolds, and anti-reflux suspensions.
Alginate-Based Biomaterials: From Fundamental “Egg-Box” Chemistry to Diverse Biomedical and Metabolic Management of Obesity and Diabetes · 2026 · DOIRegulatory engagement, manufacturing scale-up, and robust safety profiling will be key to bridging the gap from bench to bedside 88.
Smart Polymers in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Stimuli-Responsive Systems for Targeted Drug Release · 2026 · DOIThe experimental tests are limited to 1-D and 2-D confinements.
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 · DOIProjection photopolymerization enables rapid fabrication of hydrogel architectures with micrometer‐scale lateral resolution, yet its applicability to biologically relevant millimeter‐scale constructs remains constrained by poorly understood three‐dimensional fidelity limits.
Geometry‐Dependent Fidelity Limits in Projection Photopolymerization of Millimeter‐Scale PEG‐Based Hydrogels · 2026 · DOICertain attributes, including but not limited to the ability to tune droplet size, volume fraction, and interdroplet interactions, provide tools to precisely manipulate the structure of nanoemulsions.
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.
Research on superabsorbent fibers and gels is on the rise, - Further study on the modification of natural superabsorbent polymers, - Investigation of the applications of superabsorbent polymers in biomedical…
Further research in animal and other models is crucial to validate its potential - Further research on hybrid hydrogels necessitates a focus on drawing inspiration from biological motifs and structures that closely mimic the intended environments - Innovations in facile synthesis methods, particularly one-step processes, will be instrumental in unlocking the full potential of hybrid…
Evolution of Hybrid Hydrogels: Next-Generation Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering · 2024 · DOIConcerns over biodegradability and landfill pollution of synthetic hydrogels, - Low strength and water absorption of some hydrogels, - Need for regulatory considerations in terms of safety, biodegradability, environmental impact, and long-term soil…
Further research on the development and prospects of hydrogels for sustainable agriculture, - Investigation of the economic benefits and environmental impact of hydrogel…
Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term stability and efficacy of the formulations, - The potential of inclusion complex technology for the delivery of other cosmetic active ingredients should be explored, - The development of new cosmetic delivery systems capable of improving ingredient stability and minimizing potential side effects…
Preparation and application of functional hydroxyethyl cellulose hydrogels containing β-cyclodextrin complexes for cosmetic materials · 2026 · DOIFurther 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 · DOIInvestigation 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
Most-cited papers in Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications
- Hydrogel: Preparation, characterization, and applications: A review · Journal of Advanced Research · 2015 · 5,442 citations
- Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels · Nature · 2012 · 5,303 citations
- Advances in engineering hydrogels · Science · 2017 · 2,750 citations
- Hydrophilic Gels for Biological Use · Nature · 1960 · 2,668 citations
- Strong tough hydrogels via the synergy of freeze-casting and salting out · Nature · 2021 · 1,522 citations
- Fracture, fatigue, and friction of polymers in which entanglements greatly outnumber cross-links · Science · 2021 · 1,352 citations
- Hydrogel machines · Materials Today · 2020 · 1,032 citations
- Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based smart hydrogels: Design, properties and applications · Progress in Materials Science · 2020 · 872 citations
- Tough hydrogels with rapid self-reinforcement · Science · 2021 · 825 citations
- Supramolecular Adhesive Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications · Chemical Reviews · 2022 · 692 citations
Most recent work
- Clinical translation of injectable hydrogels: from bioactive polymers to long-acting drug delivery systems · Drug Delivery and Translational Research · 2026
- Physical crosslinking in double network hydrogels: structural design, toughening mechanisms, and functional diversity · Progress in Polymer Science · 2026
- Recent Developments in Protein-Based Hydrogels for Advanced Drug Delivery Applications · Pharmaceutics · 2026
- Hydrogel-based drug delivery systems for enhanced tumor therapy · RSC Advances · 2026
- Hydrogels for in vivo biomedical applications: recent advances and future perspectives · Journal of Materials Chemistry B · 2026
- Microscale Architectures for Intelligent Soft Robotics: From Functional Microneedles to Biointegrated Wearable Systems · Nano-Micro Letters · 2026
- Hybrid hydrogels for biomedical applications: Addressing challenges in drug delivery through advanced crosslinking and nanocarrier integration · Journal of Controlled Release · 2026
- Polysaccharides and carbohydrate polymers: innovations from nature to industry · Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture · 2026
- Automated active learning to optimize hydrogel drug release profiles · Journal of Controlled Release · 2026
- Designing resilient hydrogels: Strategies for minimizing hysteresis while maximizing toughness · Matter · 2026
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