Advances in high-strength lubricating hydrogels

High-strength lubricating hydrogels combine outstanding mechanical properties (e.g., high compressive/tensile strength) with ultra-low coefficient of friction (COF), while exhibiting biocompatibility, environmental responsiveness, and self-healing capabilities. They are primarily used in artificial joints, surgical instrument coatings, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and industrial lubrication, with particularly promising potential in biomedical and bionic engineering applications. In this review, we first elucidate the fundamental lubrication mechanisms of hydrogels, providing critical insights for their structural design. Subsequently, we systematically summarized the latest advances in high-strength lubricating hydrogels and categorized them based on innovative design strategies, including the design and optimization of overall structures, methods for surface modification, the regulation of lubricating properties and so on. These findings offer a robust framework for developing next-generation bio-lubricating materials with enhanced performance to meet the demanding requirements of practical applications.