A cryogel-forming vinyl alcohol co-polymer is operable to form a cryogel, i.e., a hydrogel formed by crytropic gelation, in an aqueous solution at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight, in the absence of a chemical cross-linking agent and in the absence of an emulsifier. In one embodiment, a vinyl alcohol co-polymer cryogel comprises at least about 75% by weight water and a vinyl alcohol co-polymer, wherein the vinyl alcohol co-polymer is operable to form a cryogel in an aqueous solution at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight, in the absence of a chemical cross-linking agent and in the absence of an emulsifier. In another embodiment, a vinyl alcohol co-polymer cryogel comprises at least abut 75% by weight water and a vinyl alcohol co-polymer comprising a saponified product of a vinyl acetate co- polymer formed from at least about 80% by weight of vinyl acetate monomer, and (i) at least about 3% by weight of acrylamide monomer or a mixture of acrylamide monomer and acrylic acid monomer, or (ii) at least about 5% by weight acrylic acid monomer. The vinyl acetate co- polymer, vinyl alcohol co-polymer and vinyl alcohol co-polymer cryogel may be formed according to particular methods, and the vinyl alcohol co-polymer cryogels may be used in various applications including biomedical implants and thin films and for delivery of therapeutic or cosmetic agents.В изобретении образующий криогель сополимер винилового спирта позволяет при проведении операций с ним получать криогель, то есть гидрогель, полученный в результате криотропного гелеобразования, в водном растворе при концентрации меньше чем приблизительно 10 мас.%, в отсутствие химического сшивающего агента и в отсутствие эмульгатора. Криогель из сополимера винилового спирта содержит по меньшей мере приблизительно 75 мас.% воды и сополимер винилового спирта, включающий омыленный продукт сополимера винилацетата, полученного по меньшей мере из приблизительно 80 мас.% мономера винилацетата и (i) по м
