Fiber memristors for smart textiles: materials, devices, and applications

Fiber memristors represent a transformative platform for next‑generation wearable electronics, enabling the seamless integration of non‑volatile memory and neuromorphic computing directly onto or within textile fibers. This intrinsic functionalization at the fiber level effectively overcomes the “sense‑transmit‑process” separation inherent in conventional wearable systems, paving the way for truly intelligent, energy‑efficient, and autonomous textiles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the development and state‑of‑the‑art research in this emerging field. We first elucidate the fundamental device architectures and underlying resistive‑switching mechanisms. Subsequently, we systematically summarize the material systems and advanced fabrication strategies employed to construct robust and weavable memristive fibers, followed by a critical analysis of their electrical, mechanical, and functional performance metrics. A dedicated section highlights the cutting‑edge applications of fiber memristors, particularly in integrated sensing‑memory‑computing systems, neuromorphic signal processing, and adaptive human‑machine interfaces. Key challenges are thoroughly discussed, along with promising future research directions. By offering a holistic perspective spanning materials, devices, and integrated systems, this review aims to provide comprehensive theoretical insights and technical guidance for the development of next‑generation intelligent textiles, thereby accelerating the deep fusion of electronic functionality and textile substrates.