Soft devices empowered by mechanoluminescent materials

Mechanoluminescence is the phenomenon in which certain materials emit light when subjected to mechanical stimuli, such as bending, stretching, or compression. Soft devices containing embedded mechanoluminescent materials are capable of responding to mechanical deformation by emitting light, which can be utilized for various applications, including sensing, display, communication, and visual feedback. In this Perspective, we discuss recent advancements and emerging applications of mechanoluminescent materials for soft devices, with a focus on the remaining challenges in mechanoluminescent materials, such as performance, mechanism, synthesis, and device fabrication, that need to be addressed for developing advanced soft devices, and propose the potential solutions.