| abstract |
Polymeric materials having anisotropy such as mechanical properties (eg, modulus of elasticity), thermal properties, barrier properties (eg, breathability), and the like are provided. Anisotropic properties can be achieved for a single, monolithic polymeric material through selective control over how the material is formed. For example, one or more regions of the polymeric material can be deformed to create a unique pore network within the deformed region(s). However, regions of the polymeric material that are not subjected to the same degree of strain will not have the same pore volume, and in some cases may even be completely absent from the porous network. |