Engineering Hydrogel-Based Biomedical Photonics: Design, Fabrication, and Applications
Carlos F Guimarães1,2,3, Rajib Ahmed3, Alexandra P Marques1,2
13B's Research Group - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Hydrogel photonics integrates light guiding with biocompatibility for bioengineering. This review covers materials, fabrication, and applications like optical fibers and photomedicine, paving the way for future innovations.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Bioengineering
- Biomedical Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Light guiding is crucial in communications, robotics, and nanomedicine.
- Light-matter interactions offer advantages in biomedical optics and data transmission.
- Hydrogels combine light-guiding properties with tissue compatibility for bioengineering applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest progress in hydrogel photonics.
- To discuss the physics of light guiding in hydrogels and living tissues.
- To highlight technical challenges and future directions in biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing literature on hydrogel photonics.
- Analysis of materials, fabrication protocols, and design architectures.
- Discussion of physical principles governing light propagation in hydrogels.
Main Results:
- Hydrogels offer a unique platform for interfacing photonics and bioengineering.
- Diverse applications include hydrogel optical fibers, living photonic constructs, and light-driven robots.
- Hydrogel photonics shows promise in photomedicine and organ-on-a-chip models.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel photonics is a rapidly advancing field with significant biomedical potential.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges in translating these technologies.
- This review provides a foundation for future hydrogel photonic research and development.
