Hydrogels are heavily‐hydrated 3D microliths having loose, porous structures. Unlike organogels, elastomers, and carbohydrates, hydrogels are structures with water as a continuous phase/solvent. Being water‐based, they provide a lot of scope for facile improvizations in their structure and in introducing chemical functionalities. They can house various functional materials in their highly porous networks, making them potential candidates for diverse applications. Various possibilities in using different starting materials for hydrogels are described herein, and it is shown how choosing and optimizing these components that make up the hydrogel can modify their properties. Studying hydrogels and their formulations will enable the understanding of their multifunctional properties. External stimuli‐responsive and functional systems can be designed out of these microliths to suit a wide range of applications like biosensing, cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, drug delivery, environmental parameter sensing, water desalination, heavy‐metal adsorption, and water treatment. Environmental degradation is occurring at an alarming rate, cascading the adverse effects on the environment but also causing detrimental effects in public health. In this review, multiple perspectives from state‐of‐the‐art literature are brought together to examine hydrogels as very powerful, sustainable, cost‐effective, and simple solutions for the betterment of the environment and subsequently, public health.

中文翻译：

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医疗和环境应用水凝胶

水凝胶是具有松散多孔结构的重水合3D微晶。与有机凝胶，弹性体和碳水化合物不同，水凝胶是一种以水为连续相/溶剂的结构。由于是水基的，它们为结构上的即兴即用和引入化学功能提供了很大的空间。他们可以在其高度多孔的网络中容纳各种功能材料，使其成为各种应用的潜在候选者。本文描述了将不同的起始材料用于水凝胶的各种可能性，并且示出了如何选择和优化构成水凝胶的这些组分可以改变其性能。研究水凝胶及其制剂将有助于理解其多功能性质。可以从这些微石中设计外部刺激响应和功能系统，以适合各种应用，例如生物传感，癌症治疗，再生医学，药物输送，环境参数传感，水脱盐，重金属吸附和水处理。环境恶化正在以惊人的速度发生，既对环境造成不利影响，又对公共卫生造成不利影响。在这篇综述中，来自最新文献的多种观点被结合在一起，以研究水凝胶是一种非常强大，可持续，具有成本效益的简单解决方案，可以改善环境，进而改善公众健康。环境参数检测，水脱盐，重金属吸附和水处理。环境恶化正在以惊人的速度发生，既对环境造成不利影响，又对公共卫生造成不利影响。在这篇综述中，来自最先进文献的多种观点被结合在一起，以研究水凝胶是一种非常强大，可持续，具有成本效益的简单解决方案，可以改善环境，进而改善公众健康。环境参数检测，水脱盐，重金属吸附和水处理。环境恶化正在以惊人的速度发生，既对环境造成不利影响，又对公共卫生造成不利影响。在这篇综述中，来自最新文献的多种观点被结合在一起，以研究水凝胶是一种非常强大，可持续，具有成本效益的简单解决方案，可以改善环境，进而改善公众健康。