3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges
Hydrogels are network polymers with high water-bearing capacity resembling the extracellular matrix. Recently, many studies have focused on synthesizing hydrogels from natural sources as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and readily available. However, the structural complexities of biological...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/3/192 |
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| author | Berk Uysal Ujith S. K. Madduma-Bandarage Hasani G. Jayasinghe Sundar Madihally |
| author_facet | Berk Uysal Ujith S. K. Madduma-Bandarage Hasani G. Jayasinghe Sundar Madihally |
| author_sort | Berk Uysal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrogels are network polymers with high water-bearing capacity resembling the extracellular matrix. Recently, many studies have focused on synthesizing hydrogels from natural sources as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and readily available. However, the structural complexities of biological tissues and organs limit the use of hydrogels fabricated with conventional methods. Since 3D printing can overcome this barrier, more interest has been drawn toward the 3D printing of hydrogels. This review discusses the structure of hydrogels and their potential biomedical applications with more emphasis on natural hydrogels. There is a discussion on various formulations of alginates, chitosan, gelatin, and hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, we discussed the 3D printing techniques available for hydrogels and their advantages and limitations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-867ae38ce5d74833bcf8792fa071d8a7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj-art-867ae38ce5d74833bcf8792fa071d8a72025-08-20T03:43:03ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-03-0111319210.3390/gels110301923D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and ChallengesBerk Uysal0Ujith S. K. Madduma-Bandarage1Hasani G. Jayasinghe2Sundar Madihally3School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 420 Engineering North, Stillwater, OK 74078, USADepartment of Chemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Lopez Hall 221, Socorro, NM 87801, USAMathematics, Physical and Natural Sciences Division, University of New Mexico-Gallup, 705 Gurley Ave., Gallup, NM 87301, USASchool of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 420 Engineering North, Stillwater, OK 74078, USAHydrogels are network polymers with high water-bearing capacity resembling the extracellular matrix. Recently, many studies have focused on synthesizing hydrogels from natural sources as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and readily available. However, the structural complexities of biological tissues and organs limit the use of hydrogels fabricated with conventional methods. Since 3D printing can overcome this barrier, more interest has been drawn toward the 3D printing of hydrogels. This review discusses the structure of hydrogels and their potential biomedical applications with more emphasis on natural hydrogels. There is a discussion on various formulations of alginates, chitosan, gelatin, and hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, we discussed the 3D printing techniques available for hydrogels and their advantages and limitations.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/3/1923D printingnatural polymershydrogelsbiomedical applications |
| spellingShingle | Berk Uysal Ujith S. K. Madduma-Bandarage Hasani G. Jayasinghe Sundar Madihally 3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges Gels 3D printing natural polymers hydrogels biomedical applications |
| title | 3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges |
| title_full | 3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges |
| title_fullStr | 3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | 3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges |
| title_short | 3D-Printed Hydrogels from Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Conventional Fabrication Methods, Current Developments, Advantages, and Challenges |
| title_sort | 3d printed hydrogels from natural polymers for biomedical applications conventional fabrication methods current developments advantages and challenges |
| topic | 3D printing natural polymers hydrogels biomedical applications |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/3/192 |
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