Multifunctional aerogel: A unique and advanced biomaterial for tissue regeneration and repair

Abstract

Amidst the rapid advancements in materials science, the exploration of aerogel-based biomaterials has garnered extensive attention across diverse sectors, including biomedicine, energy, architecture, and sensing. Comprehensive studies have unveiled the utilization of organic, inorganic, and hybridized materials for aerogel preparation, catapulting aerogel-based biomaterials to global prominence. Endowed with distinctive properties, including low density, a hierarchical porous network, high porosity, and nanoscale micropores, aerogels have exhibited a broad spectrum of applications, particularly in the realm of tissue engineering. The deployment of aerogel-based biomaterials in tissue engineering is in a dynamic phase of development, with available reports indicating varying degrees of exploration in fields such as blood vessels, soft tissues, nerves, skin, muscles, heart, bronchial tubes, bone, and cartilage—an evolutionary process. This paper offers a comprehensive review of the evolution of aerogel properties and preparation processes, encapsulating strategic insights for the application of aerogel-based biomaterials in tissue engineering. It succinctly summarizes recent developments in tissue engineering research, emphasizing their significance. Additionally, the review outlines future prospects for the application of aerogels in tissue engineering and envisions challenges arising from current studies. Through this thorough exploration of aerogel-based biomaterials in tissue engineering, the paper aspires to make a profound impact on regenerative medicine, offering innovative and effective application strategies for biomedicine.