Rheological Studies and Applications of Hydrogels Related to Drug Delivery

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels are well-known materials due to their excellent gel-forming properties, the number of publications devoted to which has grown exponentially in recent years. In the realm of drug delivery, rheological studies related to hydrogels have emerged as an essential area of investigation, representing a nexus of scientific inquiry and practical application. The exploration of hydrogel formulations and their rheological characteristics constitutes a fundamental aspect of this Special Issue, delving into the behavior and mechanical attributes that investigate their functionality.

Hydrogels, due to their unique structural characteristics and responsiveness to environmental stimuli, stand as versatile candidates for use as drug delivery systems. The rheological investigation of these materials often consider their viscoelastic properties, shear-thinning behavior, and gelation kinetics, providing insights into the dynamic interplay of forces governing hydrogel mechanics. Such elucidation not only refines our understanding of hydrogel behavior but also informs the rational design of drug carriers tailored to specific therapeutic needs. Furthermore, the pragmatic applications of hydrogels in drug delivery systems have a spectrum of functionalities, encompassing controlled release, site-specific targeting, and sustained drug release. These applications align with the overall objective of enhancing therapeutic efficacy, minimizing side effects, and optimizing patient outcomes. As we study the rheological complexity of hydrogels, their potential as practical vehicles for drug delivery becomes increasingly apparent, as we acknowledge their status a new frontier in pharmaceutical science that has profound implications for personalized and precision medicine.

This Special Issue of Gels, entitled “Rheological Studies and Applications of Hydrogels Related to Drug Delivery”, is dedicated to the latest research in the field of hydrogels. This Special Issue’s scope ranges from their fundamental aspects to particular applications. It will discuss the preparation, properties, and rheological characteristics of hydrogels, as well as their practical applications in drug delivery systems.

Dr. Zsófia Edit Pápay
Dr. Norbert Varga
Prof. Dr. György T. Balogh
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• applications of hydrogels
• hydrogels in drug delivery
• rheology of hydrogels
• role of rheology in drug delivery
• properties of hydrogels