A water-based lubricating grease composition includes at least 40 wt % water; a salt-based thickener; a polymer-based thickener; and optionally, an inorganic solid-based thickener. A process for preparing the water-based lubricating grease composition may include blending a suitable amount of water with a salt-based thickener to provide a thickened water-based grease, wherein the salt-based thickener is obtained from contacting a base with a fat; and adding a polymer-based thickener to the thickened water-based grease.

A tribological system includes a tribological contact area including a first tribological contact surface of a first mechanical component and a second tribological contact surface of a second mechanical component, the first and second mechanical components being in relative motion with respect to each other; an external circuit connected to the first and second mechanical components and providing Joule heating; and an additive in contact with the tribological contact area, the additive having a first viscosity in a first state before the external circuit is activated, a second viscosity in a second state when the external circuit is activated to produce Joule heating, and a third viscosity in a third state when the external circuit is deactivated after activation, the second viscosity being lower than the third viscosity.