Gels最新文献

{"title":"Synthesis of Temperature/pH Dual-Responsive Double-Crosslinked Hydrogel on Medical Titanium Alloy Surface.","authors":"Yutong Li, Jiaqi Wang, Shouxin Liu","doi":"10.3390/gels11060443","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medical titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) is widely used as a surgical implant material in biomedical fields owing to its superior biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical performance, particularly for osseous integration applications. However, long-term contact of medical titanium-based implants with human soft tissues may induce infection and inflammation. To address these limitations, a drug-loading gel was designed to be synthesized on a TC4 surface to improve biointegration. Considering the critical regulatory roles of temperature and pH in physiological environments, this study synthesized a dual-responsive hydrogel using the temperature-sensitive monomers 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (MEO₂MA) and oligoethylene glycol methacrylate (OEGMA) and the pH-sensitive monomer diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA), employing stereocomplexed polylactic acid as a physical crosslinker and <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a chemical crosslinker. A polydopamine-based initiator was synthesized via dopamine functionalization with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BIBB). The amphiphilic co-network hydrogel was grafted onto a modified TC4 surface through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Integration of the drug-loading gel and TC4 gives the implant an \"active therapeutic\" function by localized drug release. The results demonstrated that the energy storage modulus of the double-crosslinked gel matched that of human soft tissues. The gels exhibited efficient drug release.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent Progress of Biomaterial-Based Hydrogels for Wearable and Implantable Bioelectronics.","authors":"Baojin Chen, Yan Zhu, Renjie Yu, Yunxiang Feng, Zhenpeng Han, Chang Liu, Pengcheng Zhu, Lijun Lu, Yanchao Mao","doi":"10.3390/gels11060442","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060442","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bioelectronics for wearable and implantable biomedical devices has attracted significant attention due to its potential for continuous health monitoring, early disease diagnosis, and real-time therapeutic interventions. Among the various materials explored for bioelectronic applications, hydrogels derived from natural biopolymers have emerged as highly promising candidates, owing to their inherent biocompatibility, mechanical compliance akin to biological tissues, and tunable structural properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the design and application of protein-based hydrogels, including gelatin, collagen, silk fibroin, and gluten, as well as carbohydrate-based hydrogels such as chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and starch. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating their intrinsic material characteristics, modification strategies to improve electrical and mechanical performance, and their applicability for bioelectronic interfaces. The review further explores their diverse applications in physiological and biochemical signal sensing, bioelectric signal recording, and electrical stimulation. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are discussed to guide the ongoing innovation of hydrogel-based systems for next-generation bioelectronic technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192074/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drying of Functional Hydrogels: Development of a Workflow for Bioreactor-Integrated Freeze-Drying of Protein-Coated Alginate Microcarriers for iPS Cell-Based Screenings.","authors":"Johnn Majd Balsters, Alexander Bäumchen, Michael Roland, Stefan Diebels, Julia C Neubauer, Michael M Gepp, Heiko Zimmermann","doi":"10.3390/gels11060439","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060439","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Protein-coated ultra-high viscosity (UHV)-alginate hydrogels are essential to mimic the physiological in vivo environment of humans in several in vitro applications. This work presents an optimized bioreactor-integrated freeze-drying process for Matrigel^TM-coated UHV-alginate microcarriers in the context of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) expansion. The impact of freeze-drying on the UHV-alginate microcarriers using trehalose 100 mg/mL in 0.9% NaCl as a lyoprotective agent, as well as the stem cell response using hiPSCs, was analyzed using microscopy-based screenings. First observations of the process showed that the integrity of the cake was preserved in the samples with a maximum vapor exchanging rate. Following rehydration, the UHV-alginate microcarriers retained their original morphology. Upon the addition of Poloxamer 188, stickiness and bubble formation were reduced. The expansion of hiPSCs in a suspension bioreactor resulted in a 5-7-fold increase in total cell count, yielding at least 1.3 × 10⁷ cells with viability exceeding 80% after seven days of cultivation. In flow cytometry analysis, the pluripotency factors OCT3/4 and SSEA4 resulted in positive signals in over 98% of cells, while the differentiation factor SSEA1 was positive in fewer than 10% of cells. Supported by preceding in silico predictions of drying time, this study presents, for the first time, basic steps toward a \"ready-to-use\" bioreactor-integrated freeze-drying process for UHV-alginate microcarriers in the iPSC context.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191970/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Removal of Mercury from Aqueous Environments Using Polyurea-Crosslinked Calcium Alginate Aerogels.","authors":"Evangelia Sigala, Artemisia Zoi, Grigorios Raptopoulos, Elias Sakellis, Aikaterini Sakellari, Sotirios Karavoltsos, Patrina Paraskevopoulou","doi":"10.3390/gels11060437","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060437","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The removal of mercury(II) from aquatic environments using polyurea-crosslinked calcium alginate (X-alginate) aerogels was investigated through batch-type experiments, focusing on low mercury concentrations (50-180 μg·L^-1), similar to those found in actual contaminated environments. Within this concentration range, the metal retention was very high, ranging from 85% to quantitative (adsorbent dosage: 0.6 g L^-1). The adsorption process followed the <i>Langmuir</i> isotherm model with a sorption capacity of 4.4 mmol kg^-1 (883 mg kg^-1) at pH 3.3. Post-adsorption analysis with EDS confirmed the presence of mercury in the adsorbent and the replacement of calcium in the aerogel matrix. Additionally, coordination/interaction with other functional groups on the adsorbent surface may occur. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-first-order model, indicating a diffusion-controlled mechanism and relatively weak interactions. The adsorbent was regenerated via washing with a Na₂EDTA solution and reused at least three times without substantial loss of sorption capacity. Furthermore, X-alginate aerogels were tested for mercury removal from an industrial wastewater sample (pH 7.75) containing 61 μg·L^-1 mercury (and competing ions), achieving 71% metal retention. These findings, along with the stability of X-alginate aerogels in natural waters and wastewaters, highlight their potential for sustainable mercury removal applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192515/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cellulose-Based Hybrid Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Sustainable Approach.","authors":"Elizabeth Vázquez-Rivas, Luis Alberto Desales-Guzmán, Juan Horacio Pacheco-Sánchez, Sofia Guillermina Burillo-Amezcua","doi":"10.3390/gels11060438","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060438","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cellulose is a sustainable biopolymer, being renewable and abundant, non-toxic, biodegradable, and easily functionalizable. However, the development of hydrogels for tissue engineering applications presents significant challenges that require interdisciplinary expertise, given the intricate and dynamic nature of the human body. This paper delves into current research focused on creating advanced cellulose-based hydrogels with tailored mechanical, biological, chemical, and surface properties. These hydrogels show promise in healing, regenerating, and even replacing human tissues and organs. The synthesis of these hydrogels employs a range of innovative techniques, including supramolecular chemistry, click chemistry, enzyme-induced crosslinking, ultrasound, photo radiation, high-energy ionizing radiation, 3D printing, and other emerging methods. In the realm of tissue engineering, various types of hydrogels are explored, such as stimuli-responsive, hybrid, injectable, bio-printed, electrospun, self-assembling, self-healing, drug-releasing, biodegradable, and interpenetrating network hydrogels. Moreover, these materials can be further enhanced by incorporating cell growth factors, biological molecules, or by loading them with cells or drugs. Looking ahead, future research aims to engineer and tailor hydrogels to meet specific needs. This includes exploring safer and more sustainable materials and synthesis techniques, identifying less invasive application methods, and translating these studies into practical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192461/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental Investigation on Thermal Performance Optimization of Na₂HPO₄·12H₂O-Based Gel Phase Change Materials for Solar Greenhouse.","authors":"Wenhe Liu, Gui Liu, Wenlu Shi, Xinyang Tang, Xuhui Wu, Jiayang Wu, Zhanyang Xu, Feng Zhang, Mengmeng Yang","doi":"10.3390/gels11060434","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060434","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The content of modified materials in multicomponent gel phase change materials directly affects their performance characteristics. To investigate the influence of different contents of modified materials on the performance features of Na₂HPO₄·12H₂O-based multicomponent Gel Phase Change Materials, four single factors (Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O, C₃₅H₄₉O₂₉, KCl, and nano-α-Fe₂O₃) and their interactions were selected as influencing factors. Using the Taguchi method with an L₂₇(3¹³) orthogonal array, multi-step melt-blending experiments were conducted to prepare a novel multi-component phase change material. The characteristics of the new multi-component phase change material, including supercooling degree (ΔT), phase change temperature (T_m), latent heat of phase change (ΔH_m), and cooling time (CT), were obtained. In addition, characterization techniques such as DSC, SEM, FT-IR, and XRD were employed to analyze its thermal properties, microscopic morphology, chemical stability, and crystal structure. Based on the experimental results, the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) was used to rank the influence of each factor on the quality characteristics, and the <i>p</i>-value from analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to evaluate the significance of each factor on the performance characteristics. Then, the effects of each significant factor on the characteristics of the multiple gel phase change materials were analyzed in detail, and the optimal mixing ratio of the new multiple gel phase change materials was selected. The results showed that Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O, KCl, and α-Fe₂O₃ were the most critical process parameters. This research work enriches the selection of composite gel phase change materials for solar greenhouses and provides guidance for the selection of different modified material contents using Na₂HPO₄·12H₂O as the starting material.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191680/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alginate Sphere-Based Soft Actuators.","authors":"Umme Salma Khanam, Hyeon Teak Jeong, Rahim Mutlu, Shazed Aziz","doi":"10.3390/gels11060432","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alginate hydrogels offer distinct advantages as ionically crosslinked, biocompatible networks that can be shaped into spherical beads with high compositional flexibility. These spherical architectures provide isotropic geometry, modularity and the capacity for encapsulation, making them ideal platforms for scalable, stimuli-responsive actuation. Their ability to respond to thermal, magnetic, electrical, optical and chemical stimuli has enabled applications in targeted delivery, artificial muscles, microrobotics and environmental interfaces. This review examines recent advances in alginate sphere-based actuators, focusing on fabrication methods such as droplet microfluidics, coaxial flow and functional surface patterning, and strategies for introducing multi-stimuli responsiveness using smart polymers, nanoparticles and biologically active components. Actuation behaviours are understood and correlated with physical mechanisms including swelling kinetics, photothermal effects and the field-induced torque, supported by analytical and multiphysics models. Their demonstrated functionalities include shape transformation, locomotion and mechano-optical feedback. The review concludes with an outlook on the existing limitations, such as the material stability, cyclic durability and integration complexity, and proposes future directions toward the development of autonomous, multifunctional soft systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192248/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Melatonin-Loaded Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) Transdermal Gel on Sleep Quality.","authors":"Wei Zhao, Fengyu Wang, Liying Huang, Bo Song, Junzi Wu, Yongbo Zhang, Wuyi Du, Yan Li, Sen Tong","doi":"10.3390/gels11060435","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060435","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The rapid pace of modern life has contributed to a significant decline in sleep quality, which has become an urgent global public health issue. Melatonin, an endogenous hormone that regulates circadian rhythms, is vital in maintaining normal sleep cycles. While oral melatonin supplementation is widely used, transdermal delivery systems present advantages that include the avoidance of first-pass metabolism effects and enhanced bioavailability. In this study, a novel melatonin transdermal delivery system was successfully developed using a thermosensitive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) [p(NVCL)]-based carrier. The p(NVCL) polymer was synthesized through free radical polymerization and characterized for its structural properties and phase transition temperature, in alignment with skin surface conditions. Orthogonal optimization experiments identified 3% azone, 3% menthol, and 4% borneol as the optimal enhancer combination for enhanced transdermal absorption. The formulation demonstrated exceptional melatonin loading characteristics with high encapsulation efficiency and stable physicochemical properties, including an appropriate pH and optimal moisture content. Comprehensive in vivo evaluation using normal mouse models revealed significant sleep quality improvements, specifically a shortened sleep latency and extended non-rapid eye movement sleep duration, with elevated serum melatonin and serotonin levels. Safety assessments including histopathological examination, biochemical analysis, and 28-day continuous administration studies confirmed excellent biocompatibility with no adverse reactions or systemic toxicity. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging provided direct evidence of enhanced transdermal absorption and superior biodistribution compared to oral administration. These findings indicate that the p(NVCL)-based melatonin transdermal gel system offers a safe, effective and convenient non-prescription option for sleep regulation, with promising potential for clinical translation as a consumer sleep aid.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191773/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Recyclable, Adhesive, and Self-Healing Ionogel Based on Zinc-Halogen Coordination Anion Crosslinked Poly(ionic Liquid)/Ionic Liquid Networks for High-Performance Microwave Absorption.","authors":"Lei Wang, Jie Liu, Meng Zong, Yi Liu, Jianfeng Zhu","doi":"10.3390/gels11060436","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060436","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the past, powder-like microwave absorbers have made notable breakthroughs in performance enhancements, but complicated processes and undesirable properties have limited their practical application. Herein, a novel poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)-based ionic gel with excellent microwave absorption properties was prepared via a facile UV-initiated polymerization method. By simply adjusting the mole ratio of the polymerizable ionic liquid (IL)monomer and the IL dispersion medium, the microwave absorption properties of the obtained ionic gels can be tuned. A maximum reflection loss (RL_max) of -45.7 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 8.08 GHz were achieved, which was mainly ascribed to high ionic conduction loss induced by the high content of the dispersion medium. Furthermore, it displayed recyclable, adhesive, and self-healing properties, thus providing a new candidate for developing efficient microwave absorbers for practical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191830/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial for the Special Issue \"Global Excellence in Bioactive Gels\".","authors":"Yoshitaka Miyamoto","doi":"10.3390/gels11060433","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11060433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This Special Issue provides an overview of \"Global Excellence in Bioactive Gels\" [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191828/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144483906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}