SHANGHAI, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Scientists in China have created a flexible, thread-like "fiber chip" that can be woven into fabric, opening the door to garments that function as interactive screens, advanced brain implants capable of processing signals internally and hyperrealistic virtual reality touch.

Researchers from Fudan University in east China's Shanghai successfully integrated a functioning integrated circuit -- combining processing, memory and signal capabilities -- directly into a single, elastic polymer fiber thinner than a human hair.

The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature on Thursday, moves beyond the rigid, planar form of traditional silicon chips.

"The human body is made of soft tissue, so emerging fields like future brain-computer interfaces demand soft, compliant electronic systems," said Peng Huisheng, who led the study. His team has spent over a decade developing functional fibers for lighting, display and power.