Shape memory hydrogels in tissue engineering: Recent advances and challenges
Naeem A. Yu C. Zhou L. Xie Y. Weng Y. Huang Y. Zhang M. Yang Q.
December 2025KeAi Communications Co.
Bioactive Materials
2025#54215 - 247 pp.
Shape memory hydrogels (SMHs) have emerged as transformative materials in tissue engineering, owing to their unique ability to recover their original shape after deformation. These hydrogels combine hydrophilicity and elasticity with shape memory capabilities, making them ideal candidates for various biomedical applications. This review examines their innovative design and synthesis, highlighting the physical and biological characteristics that make them well-suited for tissue engineering, such as mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. SMHs have diverse applications in tissue engineering, including bone regeneration, soft tissue reconstruction, and the engineering of vascular and neural tissues. Additionally, they are utilized in smart drug delivery systems and the fabrication of 3D-printed customized implants. Despite these advancements, challenges such as production scalability, optimization of mechanical properties, shape recovery and fixation, controlled degradation, and long-term stability persist. Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for overcoming these challenges and enhancing their clinical potential. In conclusion, SMHs offer innovative solutions to complex biomedical problems, making them valuable tools for advancing regenerative medicine and improving patient outcomes.
3D-printed customized implants , Shape memory hydrogels , Smart drug delivery systems , Soft tissue reconstruction , Tissue engineering
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School of Life Science, School of Interdisciplinary Science, Aerospace Center Hospital, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
School of Medical Engineering, School of Interdisciplinary Science, Affiliated Zhuhai Peoples Hospital, Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai, 519088, China
Advanced Technology Research Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology, Jinan, 250100, China
Zhengzhou Research Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450040, China
Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Jiangsu, Wuxi, 214122, China
Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun, 130021, China
Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
School of Life Science
School of Medical Engineering
Advanced Technology Research Institute
Zhengzhou Research Institute
Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids
Department of Radiology
Department of Biology
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