Research Progress of Sodium Alginate-Based Hydrogels in Biomedical Engineering

Sodium alginate-based hydrogels are highlighted for their potential in biomedical engineering due to their biocompatibility and versatility. Recent advancements have focused on improving their mechanical properties, functionalization, and biological characteristics through composite material construction, nano-reinforcement, and dynamic crosslinking. These hydrogels show promise in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing, although challenges like insufficient mechanical strength and stability persist. Future research aims to optimize performance and design intelligent materials to transition these hydrogels from laboratory research to clinical applications. Innovations such as microfluidic and cryogenic printing have enhanced their precision and scalability, while incorporating nanomaterials has added functionalities like conductivity and antibacterial activity. Despite challenges, these developments position sodium alginate-based hydrogels as promising materials for various biomedical applications.