Facile fabrication of gelatin hydrogels with anisotropic gel properties via self-assembly

Using a facile method, a gelatin hydrogel with anisotropic gel properties was prepared on a substrate via hydrogelation to induce self-assembly. The specific structure of the gelatin network of the hydrogel was controlled by changing the specific surface properties of the substrate. The anisotropic swelling and mechanical behavior of the hydrogel were found to be based on its specific structure. Using a facile method, a gelatin hydrogel with anisotropic gel properties was prepared on a substrate via hydrogelation to induce self-assembly. Three kinds of surface properties (structural control factors) of the template induce the formation of an anisotropic gelatin network by self-assembly. The swelling behavior and mechanical properties of the anisotropic and isotropic gelatin hydrogels are different. When the hydrogel is compressed in a direction perpendicular to the tube-like gelatin network, the inner space of the network is compressed.