LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF POLYSACCHARIDE GELS

We review some theoretical and experimental aspects of the application of the scattering of neutrons and of Mossbauer radiation to the study of the structure and molecular dynamics of polysaccharide gels. The r esults demonstrate clearly that one can obtain detailed information on the polysaccharide network over distances up to about 1000 angstrom, and on the molecular dynamics of the polysaccharide backbone and of th e associated hydration water.