This book explores the potential of hydrogels as a multiutility system and their benefits (biocompatibility, degradability, and supporting scaffolds) for a wide range of applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. It also discusses the future prospects and challenges facing hydrogels. A wide variety of smart hydrogels (conducting, stimuli responsive, and others) with possible biomedical applications are elaborated. The book demonstrates the effectiveness of hydrogels in diagnostics of diseases in various in vivo and in vitro environments and highlights the engineering/functionalization of hydrogels for everyday drug dosage as an efficient drug carrier, scaffold, and sensing application. Explores the potential of hydrogels as a multifunctional system and their benefits, particularly for biomedical applications in diagnostics as well as therapeutics. Highlights the designing and engineering of hydrogels for everyday drug dosage and possible functionalization to fabricate an efficient drug carrier. Examines the significance of biopolymer-based hydrogels and their responsiveness in different physiological fluids. Demonstrates the effectiveness of hydrogels in diagnostics of diseases in various in,vivo and in,vitro environments. Presents challenges associated with the hydrogels and discusses possible in-hand modifications at length. Dr. Anujit Ghosal worked in the School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Currently, he is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, PRC. Dr. Ghosal researches in biochemistry, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology. He has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships throughout his research career. His research ability is proven by his published peer-reviewed research and review articles and contributed book chapters. Dr. Ajeet Kaushik works as an assistant professor of chemistry and is exploring advanced electrochemical sensing systems and nanomedicine for personalized health wellness at the Department of Natural Sciences of the Division of Science, Arts, and Mathematics at Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, US. He is the recipient of various reputed awards for his service in the area of nanobiotechnology for health care. His excellent research credentials are reflected by his four edited books, 100 international research peer-reviewed publications, and three patents in the area of nanomedicine and smart biosensors for personalized health care.

Injectable smart hydrogels possess various properties that enable the development of new minimally invasive approaches to avoid problems associated with traditional implants. Researchers in academia and industry will learn the range of synthetic strategies used to produce this emerging class of biomaterials. Clinicians will also be inspired by the range of applications demonstrated to advance surgical procedures. The editors have brought together a global authorship to ensure that this book presents the state-of-the-art in materials engineering and therapeutics. Their knowledge and experience will help the reader develop better knowledge of the field and inspire new innovations, that cover a range of areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and drug delivery.

Vegetable Oil Based Polymers and Their Surface Applications presents detailed coverage of principles, preparation methods and novel surface uses of vegetable oil based polymers. This comprehensive, state-of-the-art book follows the journey of vegetable oils from seeds to surfaces in a range of advanced applications. Opening chapters discuss theory, principles and characterization techniques while other sections present concepts on the preparation of different polymer types based on vegetable oil. The final section of the book provides extensive coverage of applications, enabling the preparation of vegetable oil based polymers for a range of products and industries. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, and advanced students in polymer chemistry, surfaces and coatings, natural polymers, materials chemistry, chemical engineering and plastics engineering. In an industrial setting, this book supports R&D professionals, scientists, and engineers interested in developing innovative biobased materials for a range of applications, including automotive and aerospace, packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine and consumer goods. - Provides in-depth information on the preparation of vegetable oil-based epoxies, alkyds, polyesteramides, polyetheramides and polyurethanes - Explores cutting-edge surface applications of vegetable oil-based polymers in areas such as coatings, packaging, cosmetics and wound dressings - Includes other key considerations, including cost benefit analysis, lifecycle assessment and future developments

This extensive work covers the latest developments in drug delivery, biomaterials, and encapsulating systems and their revolutionary potential in several fields. Highlighting encapsulation techniques that improve therapy accuracy and reduce adverse effects, this book explores the most recent developments in photodynamic and photothermal treatments. It delves further into the many medicinal applications of hydrogels, including their use in controlled medication release and regenerative medicine. An eco-friendly method of administering medicinal substances is discussed in detail in several chapters, as is the use of encapsulating systems based on pectin to stabilize bioactive chemicals. Discover the incredible world of microencapsulation and how it has revolutionized modern medicine. These techniques allow for the exact distribution and increased preservation of delicate medications. Finally, learn how hydrogel coatings are developing to tackle maritime antifouling, which is a tough problem, and how to make sure they last and work in extreme conditions. Anyone interested in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, materials science, or marine engineering will find this volume to be an indispensable resource. From healthcare to sustainability, it shows how encapsulation and biomaterials may address problems in the actual world. Inspiring future developments in medication delivery systems, biomaterials, and beyond, this book ignites fresh ideas with contributions from prominent specialists in the area.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of smart biomaterials and their potential applications, a field that is developing at a very rapid pace. Because smart biomaterials are an emerging class of biomaterials that respond to small changes in external stimuli with large discontinuous changes in their physical properties, they have been designed to act as an “on–off” switch for, among others, bio separation, immunoanalysis, drug delivery technologies, gene therapy, diagnostics, bio sensors and artificial muscles. After an introduction to the topic and the history of smart biomaterials, the author gives the reader an in-depth look at the properties, mechanics, and characterization of smart biomaterials including hydrogels, particles, assemblies, surfaces, fibers and conjugates. Information on the wide range of applications for these materials follows, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, diagnostics, biosensors, bio separation and actuators. In addition, recent advances in shape memory biomaterials as active components of medical devices are also presented.

This book reviews the current knowledge on tunable hydrogels, including the range of different materials and applications, as well as the existing challenges and limitations in the field. It covers various aspects of the material design, particularly highlighting biological responsiveness, degradability and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this book, readers will discover original research data and state-of-the-art reviews in the area of hydrogel technology, with a specific focus on biotechnology and medicine. Written by leading experts, the contributions outline strategies for designing tunable hydrogels and offer a detailed evaluation of the physical and synthetic methods currently employed to achieve specific hydrogel properties and responsiveness. This highly informative book provides important theoretical and practical insights for scholars and researchers working with hydrogels for biomedical and biotechnological applications.