Nanofiber Aerogels: Recent Progress and Biomedical Applications

Nanofiber aerogels are an emerging class of biomaterials that combine the high surface area, interconnected porosity, and ultralightweight features of aerogels with the tunable architecture and biofunctional properties of nanofibers. This review provides an in-depth analysis of fabrication strategies for nanofiber aerogels, focusing on methods that enable precise control over their structural, mechanical, and functional characteristics. Key techniques, including sol-gel processing, gas foaming, freeze-casting, electrospinning-assisted assembly, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and template-guided synthesis, are systematically discussed, emphasizing how each method influences aerogel architecture, performance, and application potential. The integration of additive manufacturing platforms further allows the fabrication of nanofiber aerogels with customized external geometries, overcoming limitations in reproducibility and shape accuracy for personalized biomedical devices. The biomedical potential of these materials is explored across multiple domains, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, hemostasis, wound healing, and biosensing. Special attention is given to the interplay between nanostructure and biological function, as well as to key challenges such as scalability, long-term biocompatibility and biostability, and regulatory hurdles. The review concludes with future directions and perspectives on how emerging fabrication technologies and multidisciplinary approaches can drive the next generation of nanofiber aerogels toward clinical translation. Overall, this review offers a state-of-the-art overview of their fabrication and biomedical applications, highlighting critical design principles and identifying opportunities for innovation and translational research.