Directional control of diffusion and swelling in megamolecular polysaccharide hydrogels

Directional control of diffusion and swelling in megamolecular polysaccharide hydrogels is demonstrated by focusing on the anisotropic structures for water absorption. Due to the presence of a layered structure in the hydrogel, the directional control for diffusion parallel to the planar direction and swelling in the lateral direction are possible.

Anisotropic swelling in hydrogels formed by cooperatively aligned megamolecules

A cyanobacterial polysaccharide, sacran, which has a high molecular length over 30 μm, forms in-plane oriented film by casting. The film creates uniaxially-swelling hydrogels with a micrometer thickness.