Abstract: A clear and flexible hydrogel containing hydrophobic microdomains provides for controlled release of medicants or other agents use as a medium for chromatography. These hydrogels are produced by addition of a water insoluble hydrophobic moety containing polymer such as water insoluble hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose to a surfactant/water or ethanol/water solution where the amount of polymer and the solvent composition are sufficient to produce the hydrogel phase.