Soft Materials for Biomedical Engineering

This chapter discusses the different types and synthesis methods of soft materials. We have also reported biomaterials synthesized from natural proteins. In this context, we have discussed hydrogels, their structural formation, and their application in soft robotics for biomedical purposes. Biomedical applications of advanced biomaterials, shape memory alloys, soft robotics, the design of soft materials for drug delivery, biomimetics, and hydrogel-based biomedical sensors are explored in the present discussion. We have also analyzed hydrogels’ applicability and performance parameters based on volumetric changes and elasticity factors. Though we have discussed the applicability of hydrogels in sensing, actuation devices, robotics, and advanced surgical procedures, there is still scope of new paradigms for uses of hydrogels in multidisciplinary fields of material and medical sciences.