Abstract:

Significance Electroluminescent (EL) fibers represent a critical technology for advancing next-generation wearable electronics, intelligent textiles, and human-machine interfaces. Their unique ability to combine luminescent functionality with inherent fiber flexibility and integrability addresses the pressing need for ultra-thin, highly flexible, and multifunctional platforms. The successful development and application of EL fibers hold significant potential to revolutionize diverse fields. Emerging applications already demonstrate their value in biomedicine (e.g., enabling flexible phototherapy bandages), energy (e.g., contributing to self-powered luminescent textiles), and defense (e.g., facilitating adaptive camouflage systems). Furthermore, the deep integration of EL fibers with sensing and energy harvesting modules is pivotal for creating novel intelligent interactive paradigms.

Progress Research progress in EL fibers is extensively analyzed, focusing on key aspects of material design, structural engineering, and spinning techniques. Significant efforts were dedicated to developing suitable luminescent materials, electrode configurations, and dielectric layers compatible with fiber geometries and processing. Various fabrication strategies, including coating, co-extrusion, and novel spinning methods, were explored to construct functional EL fiber architectures. This work has established a foundation for understanding the core mechanisms and achievable performance metrics of different EL fiber types. Representative achievements include the demonstration of flexible and fiber-based light-emitting devices through weaving and knitting.

Conclusion and Prospect Despite promising advancements, EL fibers face substantial challenges that hinder their widespread adoption and commercialization. Key limitations include insufficient environmental stability (leading to compromised operational lifetime), limited mechanical durability under repeated stress or strain, a narrowly achievable color gamut, and significant scalability barriers in mass production. Addressing these challenges requires synergistic advancements across materials, fabrication processes, and device architectures. Future research must prioritize enhancing stability and durability, expanding color emission capabilities, and developing cost-effective, high-throughput manufacturing processes. The convergence of EL fibers with complementary technologies like sensors and integrated energy systems remains a crucial direction, promising to unlock their full potential for transformative applications in smart textiles and interactive devices. Overcoming the existing bottlenecks is essential to transition EL fibers robustly from laboratory prototypes to industrial-scale production and real-world implementation.

Key words: nanophotonic material, electroluminescence fiber, textile structure and design, flexible electronic, smart textiles