Abstract: The invention relates to hydrogels containing polyvinyl alcohols and/or polyvinyl alcohol copolymers having special geometries, methods for the production of said hydrogels, and the use of the hydrogels as materials in the biomedical and pharmaceutical field, for producing contact lenses, for the controlled release of active substances, as a carrier material for inclusion-immobilized biocatalysts, a carrier material for transition metal catalysts, a material for producing reactive membranes, an additive to drilling fluid, a displacing agent in oil recovery, a cement additive and an additive to highly viscous liquids such as crude oil to improve the flowability and increase the speed of conveyance, and a component of cosmetic products.