Electrospinning is recognized as a new processing method to prepare nanofibers by emitting and stretching of polymer solution or melts under the electric field. The electrospun textiles possess many advantages such as small pore size,high surface area,very small and even diameters,and high ratios between lengths to diameter,which endow the electrospun nanofibers a broad application.Presently, the study of electrospinning nanofibers has received much attention around the world.In this paper,the equipments of electrospinning,the basic principles of electrospinning,and the research development of electrospun nanofibers were reviewed.Meanwhile,the applications of the electrospun nanofibers in many fields were introduced.At last,the development directions and foregrounds of the electrospun nanofibers were prospected.