The introduction of the work Makromoleküle by Herman Staudinger in 1919 brings back an understanding of the very early days of polymer science when characterizing the molecular structure of exact networks was a main goal of research. Here, we present updates to a swollen polymer network hypothesis with a focus on hydrogel physical properties. We discuss the connections between hydrogel structure, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, and transport properties, including the most substantial developments since the original Flory-Rehner model (1944) of swollen polymer networks. In addition to analyzing well-established and recent contributions to the swollen polymer network hypothesis, we introduce novel amendments that combine the insights of existing models. We suggest that coordinating rubberlike elasticity theory, equilibrium swelling theory, and mesh size theory will help to develop a universal predictive model for swelling, stiffness, and solute diffusivities in a diverse array of hydrogel formulations.

1919年，Herman Staudinger提出的Makromoleküle著作的介绍使人们对高分子科学的早期理解成为了一个主要研究目标，即表征精确网络的分子结构。在这里，我们提出了一个新的聚合物网络假说的更新，重点是水凝胶的物理性质。我们讨论了水凝胶结构，溶胀行为，机械性能和运输性能之间的联系，包括自最初的聚合物网络膨胀后的Flory-Rehner模型（1944年）以来最重大的进展。除了分析对溶胀的聚合物网络假说的公认的和最近的贡献之外，我们介绍结合现有模型的见解的新颖修正。我们建议协调类橡胶弹性理论，平衡溶胀理论，