“Glow in the dark” materials are fascinating.
They make for good décor. You can use them for home design, or for special events to set a mood.
You might have used one at some point in your life. It could’ve been anything, from wall lighting to a wristwatch.
But if you haven’t, it’s best you try them out. You should learn how they work, and what makes their beautiful glow a possibility!
To Start…
A “glow-in-dark” effect is termed “phosphorescent.”
Phosphorescence is a type of illumination that happens when a compound absorbs tons of light but slowly discharges it.
This leads to the glow effect, which is only visible in the dark.
Quick History.
Phosphorescence was observed as far back as 1896 by physicists such as Henri Becquerel.
Becquerel was a pioneer in the field of luminescence. He was responsible for the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity in atoms.
Part of his field of study was phosphorescence. And this was over 120 years ago.
Absorption and Discharging.
One of the unique features of phosphorescence is the capacity to recharge.
You can essentially “charge up” such compounds by putting them in the light. Leave them there for a few hours, and you have a well-charged glow compound.
The more intense the light, the faster the recharging/
This made them perfect for nighttime consumer use.
Phosphorescent compounds make good bedroom décor. They make excellent lighting as touches for different forms of jewelry.
Perfectly Safe.
Another feature you should be aware of.
A phosphorescence is a form of radiation that’s not harmful. With phosphorescence, emissions are essentially colored photons.
With harmful radiation, alpha and gamma rays and emitted. And those are only emitted by specific elements.
Now, compounds that are phosphorescent are made with common elements. Such elements aren’t rare, and they’re quite affordable.
Phosphorescent Compounds.
Let’s start with Zinc Sulfide.
With the chemical formula of (ZnS), this compound was commonly used in children’s toys. It was also a common agent in green fluorescent décor.
This was as far back as the 1970s.
It’s still used to this day, due to how cheap it is. And it’s combined with other phosphorescent compounds, to create different colored pigments.
Thus, you can get anything from orange and red, to pink and green glow décor.
But affordability comes with a cost. Zinc Sulfide isn’t the best phosphorescent compound on the market.
Its light goes off too fast, lasting a few minutes. And there are other compounds with stronger phosphorescent effects, suitable for hours of use.
For example…
Aluminates.
Advancements in technology make aluminates the best compounds for long duration glows.
Aluminates can glow for multiple hours, some glowing for entire nights. And this is perfect, especially for nocturnal décor.
A commonly used compound is strontium aluminate (SrAl4O2). High-quality pigments glow for up to 14 hours, with a powerful lighting effect.
Strontium aluminate has a cyan glow color. And it’s very beautiful when doped with dysprosium or europium.
This leads to the creation of Lumibrite, which is a glow paint used on Seiko watches.
Speaking of Glow Paint…
It’s one of the many uses of phosphorescent compounds.
You can use glow paint for a variety of purposes. You can use it to make art, like painting portraits.
Those photos would then glow in the night, giving off a beautiful aura to your room.
But not only that. You can spread out glowing paint to add flow to key parts of a picture. For example, drawing a person’s face with glowing eyes is a nice touch.
Jewelry.
You can also use glow paint to make home-made jewelry. You can make anything from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and wristbands.
They’ll absorb light during the day, and emit it off at night.
You can make glow paint at home, or you can buy it. We don’t recommend home-made paint though, as this requires a bit of mastery.
It’s best you buy a “tried and true” paint for your needs. Few other luminescence jewelries can be used for dogs to illuminate straps in the night.
We have a new page dedicated to LED straps designed for dogs that glow. If you’re ever worried about your dog wondering on the street in the night, feel free to hop on that page.
Purchase Advice.
When buying glow paint, do note that they come in grades. They grade from 0 to higher, where 0 is the best quality.
Expect the highest grades to cost more.
Other Ideas on How to Use Phosphorescence.
Beyond glow paint and jewelry, you can use it for night-time lighting.
Phosphorescent compounds make good décor for the image of nightlife. For example, you can use them as pool lightings.
It’s a safe way to give a pool some color, without having electricity under water. Be sure to follow up on ready made glow decoration reviews found here.
You can also use phosphorescence as clothes decorative. You can use them for costume props, adding a little touch to shoes and hats you own.
There are many creative uses to “glow-in-dark” compounds. It’s a vital decorative in nighttime environments.
So be sure to research online, and get some phosphorescent décor now!
