Stimuli-responsive smart materials: Bridging the gap between biotechnology and regenerative medicine

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive smart materials have emerged as transformative tools at the interface of biotechnology and regenerative medicine. These materials, capable of responding dynamically to diverse physical, chemical, and biological stimuli, present innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. This review covers the main principles of stimuli-responsive materials, their classifications, and underlying mechanisms of response. The emphasis lies on the central role that smart materials play in the advancement of biomedical applications. The versatility and functional adaptability of key categories of smart materials, such as polymers, hydrogels, and nanostructures, are reviewed for their utility in therapeutic applications. With an eye on smart scaffolds, controlled drug delivery systems, and new wound healing techniques, we also go over their uses in tissue engineering. Emerging technologies such as 3D/4D bioprinting, microfluidic fabrication, and the incorporation of biosensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) into the design and development of smart materials are also covered. The review will clearly establish that stimuli-responsive smart materials have boundless potential for transformative usefulness in regenerative medicine and health futures by highlighting key concerns, particularly those related to scalability and the regulatory landscape.