The optical, electrical and mechanical properties of some materials change depending on the direction or orientation of the material. Depending on how wood is cut, for example, the orientation of the wood grain can result in a stronger or weaker material with different appearances. This same principal applies to ultrathin, two-dimensional (2D) materials with unique properties such as magnetism.
Click here for original story, Ultrathin vanadium oxychloride demonstrates strong optical anisotropic properties
Source: Phys.org