Designed fabrication of super-stiff, anisotropic hybrid hydrogels via linear remodeling of polymer networks and subsequent crosslinking

Super-stiff, anisotropic hybrid hydrogels were prepared via a linear remodeling of highly stretchable alginate/polyacrylamide hydrogel networks followed by a secondary cross-linking. The elastic modulus of the hybrid hydrogels was successfully controlled by the degree of stretch, polymer composition, and crosslinking cations.