Abstract: Within the historical interplay of photophysics and materials science, the discovery and study of molecular aggregation-induced luminescence mark a profound paradigm shift in understanding the luminescent behavior of matter, and exemplify how interdisciplinary convergence drives innovation in integrated technologies. This review systematically outlines the emergence and development of core mechanisms—including aggregation-induced emission (AIE), clusteroluminescence, and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP)—and surveys their progress in established applications such as environmental monitoring, food safety, and biomedical science. Emphasis is placed on the forward-looking role of molecular aggregation luminescence in three integrated technological domains: information processing and storage, advanced detection and signaling, and energy utilization and conversion.
In information technology, the multi-stimuli-responsive properties of these materials are enabling a transition from static patterns to dynamic, high-dimensional intelligent security systems for anti-counterfeiting and encryption, demonstrating strong potential in material-information integration. In detection, their high sensitivity and visualizability, coupled with sensing and imaging techniques, have led to novel on-site assays for trace explosives, drugs, and latent fingerprints. In energy, efficient photothermal conversion and spectral modulation capabilities offer new pathways toward solar desalination and enhanced photosynthetic carbon fixation, highlighting the systemic integration of light–thermal–chemical energy conversion.
Looking forward, the field is poised to advance beyond single-function materials toward an era of cross-disciplinary integration—encompassing dynamic precision theranostics, four-dimensional dynamic information encryption, artificial-intelligence-augmented sensor arrays, and photo-bio-integrated synthetic cellular factories.