Advances in luminescent fibers for interactive smart textiles

Abstract Recent advancements in luminescent fibers are transforming textiles by integrating lighting and display functionalities into fabrics for applications such as health monitoring, dynamic displays, and adaptive camouflage. Active electroluminescent fibers, powered by electric fields, enable tunable light emission, while passive photoluminescent fibers rely on photoluminescence or triboluminescence to emit light. Although challenges remain in achieving uniform luminescence and ensuring durability, breakthroughs in materials science, structural engineering, and system integration are addressing these issues. Innovations such as chipless electroluminescent textiles and thermally drawn photoluminescent fibers highlight significant progress, pointing toward a future where clothing facilitates health monitoring and dynamic interaction, advancing natural human–machine interfaces.