Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels: From Swelling-Deswelling Mechanisms to Biomedical Applications.
Meyoung-Kon Kim1, Junghan Lee2, A-Ram Kang1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Stimuli-responsive hydrogels offer tunable properties for biomedical uses. Innovations enhance their performance, but challenges in size control and response speed remain for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive hydrogels, or "smart" hydrogels, are adaptable materials with tunable properties for diverse biological and biomedical applications.
- Their responsiveness to stimuli allows for reversible swelling-deswelling and volume phase transitions, driven by various synthesis strategies.
- Recent advancements have improved hydrogel swelling-deswelling behavior, stimulus sensitivity, and biocompatibility for complex biological environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive classification of stimuli-responsive hydrogels based on physical properties and response mechanisms.
- To summarize recent innovations in the design, synthesis, and biomedical applications of smart hydrogels.
- To discuss emerging strategies for enhancing the clinical applicability of these hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on stimuli-responsive hydrogel design and synthesis.
- Classification of hydrogels by physical properties and response mechanisms.
- Analysis of current and emerging biomedical applications, including drug delivery, gene therapy, biosensors, and tissue engineering.
Main Results:
- Smart hydrogels exhibit tunable physical, chemical, and biocompatible properties, making them versatile platforms.
- Novel designs show improved swelling-deswelling, enhanced sensitivity, and superior biocompatibility.
- Challenges include precise size control and slow response kinetics, hindering clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Strategies like reducing particle size and engineering porous architectures can accelerate response rates and increase surface area.
- Emerging approaches aim to enhance clinical use in drug/gene delivery, biosensing, and tissue engineering.
- Optimizing swelling-deswelling and material design is crucial for realizing the potential of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in precision medicine.
