Ion-conductive stretchable light-emitting devices

Stretchable light-emitting devices have emerged as a key pillar of modern human-machine interaction (HMI) and wearable technologies. Conventional electronic conductors face challenges in balancing mechanical fragility and optical transparency. In contrast, ionic conductors offer high optical transmittance (typically > 90%) and outstanding mechanical compliance. These properties provide a transformative paradigm for the next generation of intrinsically stretchable light-emitting systems. This review systematically summarizes the emission principles, device architectures, and material systems of ionic-conduction-based stretchable light-emitting devices. It is hoped that this review may serve as a useful reference for future studies and contribute to a better understanding of the design considerations and potential applications of high-performance stretchable light-emitting devices in wearable electronics, electronic skins, and intelligent interactive systems.