Functional Hydrogels, 2 Volume Set

Fu Guodong is Professor in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Southeast University, China. His work focuses on smart functional materials, especially hydrogels, for advancements in soft matter actuators and sustainable innovations.Mulenga Kalulu is a Special Research Fellow of School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Zambia. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. at Southeast University under Prof. Fu Guodong. His research focuses on smart hydrogels, actuators, sensors, conductive nanomaterials, and polymer synthesis.

• Chapter 1: Evolution of Hydrogels – From Basic to Functional1.1 What are Functional Hydrogels?​1.2 The History of Hydrogels1.3 The Role of Hydrogels in Modern Science and Industry1.4 Current Trends and Innovations in Hydrogel Research​Chapter 2: Polymerization Methods for Hydrogel Synthesis2.1 Overview of Polymerization Techniques2.3 Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization (CRP)2.4 Photopolymerization2.5 Radiation-Induced Polymerization2.6 Click Chemistry-Based Polymerization2.7 Enzymatic Polymerization2.8 Interpenetrating and Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs and SIPNs)2.9 Comparative Analysis of Polymerization Methods2.10 Emerging Trends and Future DirectionsChapter 3: Construction of Hydrogels3.1 Basic Principles of Hydrogel Formation3.2 Building Blocks of Hydrogels3.3 Formation of Hydrogel Molecular Structure3.4 Hydrogel Network Architecture3.5 Steps in Hydrogel Construction (General Workflow)3.6 Tailoring Hydrogel Properties During Construction3.7 From Basics to Complex Hydrogel Designs3.8 Challenges in Hydrogel ConstructionChapter 4: Hydrogel Bioprinting4.1 Fundamental Principles of Hydrogel Bioprinting4.2 Hydrogel Varieties for Bioprinting Applications4.3 Techniques for Hydrogel for Bioprinting4.4 Gelation Strategies4.5 Design Parameters for Bioprintable Hydrogels4.6 Multifield Potential of Bioprinted Hydrogels4.7 Challenges and Future ProspectsChapter 5: Functionalization of Hydrogels5.1 Functionalization During Synthesis5.2 Post-Synthesis Functionalization5.3 Environmentally Triggered Functional Modifications5.4 Drug and Bioactive Molecule Integration5.5 Nanomaterial Integration5.6 Challenges and Future ProspectsChapter 6: Hydrogel Characterization6.1 Chemical Characterization6.2 Physical and Morphological Characterization6.3 Mechanical Characterization6.4 Thermal Characterization6.5 Biological Characterization6.6 Diffusivity and Permeability6.7 Optical and Electrical Properties6.8 Advanced and Emerging Techniques6.9 Future Perspectives and Emerging TrendsChapter 7: Self-Healing Hydrogels7.1 Self-Healing Mechanisms7.2 Molecular Basis of Self-Healing7.3 Material Properties Influencing Self-Healing7.4 Significance of Self-Healing Hydrogels7.5 Challenges in Development7.6 Future DirectionsChapter 8: Shape-Memory Hydrogels8.1 Design Principles of Shape-Memory Hydrogels8.2 Fabrication Strategies8.3 Modification Strategies for Enhancing Shape-Memory Performance8.4 Breakthroughs Across Diverse Fields8.5 Challenges and Future Directions8.6 SummaryChapter 9: Biocompatibility and Safety of Hydrogels9.1 Definitions and Regulatory Perspectives9.2 Hydrogel Composition and Impact on Safety9.3 Biocompatibility Evaluation Methods9.4 Immunological Considerations9.5 Hemocompatibility and Thrombogenicity9.6 Long-Term Safety and Degradation Kinetics9.7 Case Studies on Hydrogel Biocompatibility and Safety9.8 Future Directions of Hydrogel Biocompatibility and SafetyChapter 10: Environmental Impact and Degradability of Hydrogels10.1 Sustainability of Hydrogels by Source10.2 Environmental Impact Across the Hydrogel Lifecycle10.3 Degradation Mechanisms of Hydrogels10.4 Assessing Biodegradability and Environmental Safety10.5 Design Strategies for Environmentally Friendly Hydrogels10.6 Case Studies10.7 Regulatory and Policy Considerations10.8 Future OutlookChapter 11: Hydrogels for Actuators11.1 Design Principles of Hydrogel Actuators11.2 Driving Force for Hydrogel Actuation11.3 Mechanisms and Physical Principles for Actuation11.4 Design Strategies for  Actuators11.5 Applications of Actuators11.6 Challenges and Future DirectionsChapter 12: Hydrogels for Drug Delivery12.1 Hydrogel Properties for Drug Delivery12.2 Mechanisms of Drug Release from Hydrogels12.3 Types of Hydrogels in Drug Delivery12.4 Applications of Hydrogels in Drug Delivery12.5 Innovative Hydrogel Systems for Drug Delivery12.6 Clinical Examples and Commercial Products12.7 Challenges and Future DirectionsChapter 13: Hydrogels in Regenerative Medicine13.1 Hydrogels as Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering13.2 Applications Across Tissue Types13.3 Hydrogels as Delivery Vehicles13.4  Cell Encapsulation and Delivery in Regenerative Medicine13.5 Immunomodulation and Biocompatibility13.6 Future Directions for Regenerative Medicine13.7 Clinical Translation and Regulatory Considerations13.8 Current Challenges and Future PerspectivesChapter 14: Hydrogels in Wearable Devices14.1 Design Requirements for Wearable Devices14.2 Physiological Sensing Applications14.3 Chemical and Biochemical Sensing Applications14.4 Applications of Hydrogels in Wearable Energy Storage and Harvesting14.5 Applications of Hydrogels in Drug Delivery and Therapeutic Wearables14.6 Applications of Hydrogels in Soft Actuators and Haptic Feedback Wearables14.7 Advanced Applications of Wearables Hydrogels14.8 Challenges and Future ProspectsChapter 15: Hydrogels in Brain–Computer Interface15.1 Design Requirements for Neural Interfaces15.2 Conductivity of hydrogel15.3 Fabrication Strategies15.4 Injectable Hydrogels15.5 Hydrogel–Neural Tissue Interactions15.6 Hydrogel-Based BCI Architectures15.7 Hydrogel Innovations for BCIs Applications15.8 Challenges and Future ProspectsChapter 16: Hydrogels for Sustainable Environmental Remediation16.1 Why Hydrogel as Environmental Remediators16.2  How the Hydrogels Remediate the Environment16.3 Case studies and Real-World Applications16.4 Challenges and Future PerspectivesChapter 17: Hydrogels in Food and Packaging Industries17.1 Hydrogel Materials for Sustainable Food Formulation and Packaging17.2 Hydrogels in Food17.3 Hydrogels for Food Packaging17.4 Advanced Hydrogel Technologies and Innovations17.5 Advantages of Hydrogel-Based Applications17.6 Market Growth and Commercial Applications17.7 Regulatory Considerations and Safety Assessment17.8 Challenges and Future ProspectsChapter 18: Hydrogels for Energy Storage Batteries18.1 Fundamentals of Hydrogels in Electrochemical Systems18.2 Roles of Hydrogels in Battery Energy Conservation18.3 Hydrogel Integration in Different Battery Systems18.4 Hydrogel Integration in Smart and Emerging Batteries18.5 Advanced Hydrogel Architectures for Battery Enhancement18.6 Case Studies and Comparative Metrics18.7 Challenges and Future PerspectivesChapter 19: Hydrogels in Agriculture19.1 Desirable Properties of Agricultural Hydrogels19.2 Materials for Agricultural Hydrogels19.3. Specific Agriculture Hydrogels19.4 Applications19.5 Challenges and Future PerspectivesChapter 20: Hydrogels for Water Sustainability20.1 Hydrogel–Water Dynamics for Sustainability20.2 Solar-Driven Water Generation via Hydrogels20.3 Hydrogels for Atmospheric Water Harvesting20.4 Hydrogels in Contaminant Removal20.5 Hydrogel Design for Water Sustainability20.6 Challenges and Future PerspectivesSummaryReferences