Definition
"Anisotropic" describes something that has different properties depending on the direction. Think of wood – it's easier to split along the grain than across it. This means its strength isn't uniform; it varies. It's the opposite of "isotropic," where properties are the same in all directions. Anisotropy is crucial in understanding materials like carbon fiber, crystals, and biological tissues. Consider how a diamond sparkles differently depending on the angle you view it from.