{
  "abstract": "Shape-morphing hydrogels (SMHs) are dynamic materials that undergo shape transformation through anisotropic swelling, driven by structural or compositional discontinuities. While these soft, shape-shifting systems hold compelling potential for diverse applications (underwater soft robotics, drug delivery, biomedical devices, synthetic tissues, etc.), their practical implementation is constrained by intrinsic limitations. These include insufficient mechanical strength, slow actuation kinetics, restricted multi-stimuli responsiveness, and challenges in achieving precise shape programming. To overcome these constraints, recent advances have focused on incorporating micro- or nanoparticles into SMHs. This review examines the latest progress in SMH development, with particular focus on the pivotal roles of embedded particles. Their contributions can be categorised into three key functions: (i) structural reinforcement, where particles act as crosslinking agents to strengthen the network and/or induce structural anisotropy; (ii) stimuli conversion, exemplified by photothermal particles that convert light into heat to control the swelling of thermoresponsive hydrogels; and (iii) shape programming, wherein aligned fibres define internal anisotropy, enabling precise and complex shape transformations. These innovations offer promising pathways to expand the capabilities and applications of SMHs in biomedicine and beyond.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Claire Hoa-Ren"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lucas Laout"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ana Božović"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sébastien Rolère"
    },
    {
      "name": "Rachel Auzély-Velty"
    },
    {
      "name": "Raphaël Michel"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cc10nw13xvmrx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1039/d6lp00377j",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "cc10nw13xvmrx",
  "issns": [
    "2755-371X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://hal.science/hal-05801800v1",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "hal",
      "0.chim"
    ],
    [
      "hal",
      "0.phys"
    ],
    [
      "hal",
      "1.chim.poly"
    ],
    [
      "hal",
      "1.phys.cond"
    ],
    [
      "hal",
      "2.phys.cond.cm-scm"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2210|Advanced Materials and Mechanics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214771362",
  "pdf_url": "https://hal.science/hal-05801800/document",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-29",
  "publisher": "Royal society of Chemistry",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cc10nw13xvmrx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:57Z",
      "native_id": "hal-05801800",
      "source": "hal",
      "url": "https://hal.science/hal-05801800v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "hal:1.chim.poly",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    },
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "hal:1.phys.cond",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Composite shape-morphing hydrogels: a review on the role of embedded particles",
  "title_text": "Composite shape-morphing hydrogels: a review on the role of embedded particles",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:57Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cc10nw13xvmrx",
  "venue": "RCS Applied Polymers",
  "versions": []
}