Designing nanoconfined entanglements in hydrogels: Mechanisms, mechanical performance, and self-healing strategies

Recently, hydrogels, ionogels, and organogels have emerged as promising 3D hydrophilic networks for biological tissues, but a main challenge remains: balancing mechanical robustness with self-healing materials. The primary objective of this brief perspective is to highlight a few nanoconfined entanglements approaches (i.e., polymer networks under co-planar nanoconfinement) that can lead to stable hydrogels with high modulus and effective self-healing properties. This editorial proposes that this nanoconfinement-based design paradigm marks a groundbreaking advance in soft materials development by basically uncoupling dynamic reconfigurability and stiffness. The broader applications include medical implants, wearable sensors, soft robotics, and adaptive biomimetic materials. In the future, these approaches can aid in designing hybrid materials that integrate colloidal materials, respond to multiple stimuli, and be tailored for real-world devices. The editorial article also discusses current challenges and future perspectives in advancing nanoconfined entanglement constructions as a promising candidate for the next generation of smart materials.