Abstract Fiber electronics, one-dimensional structures with active electronic functions while maintaining the flexibility of traditional fibers or textiles, represent a paradigm shift in electronic technologies, transforming passive fiber or textile substrates into active, intelligent systems that integrate powering, sensing, computation, and communication capabilities. This field has rapidly evolved from the development of simple conductive threads to the creation of sophisticated, multifunctional fiber devices. Significant progress is underpinned by the design of functional fiber materials with exceptional electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties for diverse fiber devices, such as batteries, solar cells, light-emitting displays, and neuromorphic computing devices, and these materials can be further woven into everyday fabrics. However, the transition from laboratory demonstrations to real-world applications faces significant interdisciplinary challenges, including reproducible large-scale manufacturing, the creation of robust, washable interconnects, and the establishment of community standards for reliability and qualification. To address these challenges, this review synthesizes recent progress and outlines a forward-looking roadmap. We emphasize the need for convergent research focusing on adaptive materials, fiber-native device architectures, intelligent manufacturing processes, and holistic system-level integrations. Overcoming these hurdles will unlock the full potential of fiber electronics, paving the way for transformative applications in personalized healthcare, human–machine interfaces, and extreme-environment systems, ultimately weaving the textile intelligence seamlessly into the fabric of daily life.
Zhang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.