Fatigue-resistant Hydrogels

Hydrogels have been extensively studied for applications in various fields, such as tissue engineering and soft robotics, as determined by their mechanical properties. The mechanical design of hydrogels typically focuses on the modulus, toughness, and deformability. These characteristics play important roles and make great achievements for hydrogel use. In recent years, a growing body of research has concentrated on the fatigue property of hydrogels, which determines their resistance to crack propagation in the networks during cyclic mechanical loads for applications. However, knowledge of hydrogel fatigue behavior remains notably deficient. Here, we present a brief overview of the fatigue behavior of hydrogels, encompassing the general experimental methods to measure the fatigue property and fundamental theoretical calculation models. Then, we highlight multiple strategies to enhance the fatigue resistance of hydrogels. Finally, we present our perspectives on fatigue-resistant hydrogels, outstanding challenges and potential directions for future research.