Structural design of light-emitting fibers and fabrics for wearable and smart devices

Flexible light-emitting fibers and fabrics serve to bridge human-machine interactions. The desire for practical applications and the commercialization of flexible light-emitting fibers has accelerated structural progress and improvements. This review focuses on the structural design of light-emitting fibers and fabrics, starting with a summary of design principles, emission mechanisms, and structural evolution of coaxial structured light-emitting fibers. Subsequently, we explore recent advances in the helical structure design strategies that boost the mechanical sensitivity of light-emitting fibers. Following that, we analyze continuous preparation processes and the development of large-area intelligent light-emitting fabrics based on interwoven structures. Examples based on stiff and rigid inorganic-based light-emitting diodes integrated into flexible systems are also presented. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future opportunities for light-emitting applications in the field of wearable and smart devices.