Korean Scientists have created a wind-activated material which could revolutionise environmentally friendly lighting. But only as long as the wind blows…

Mechanoluminescence – the phenomenon by which materials emit light under stress – is not a new idea. In fact in 1605 Francis Bacon noted tiny flashes of light as he cracked sugar crystals. The phenomenon was thought to have no practical application as it required fracturing to make it happen. Then in 1999, elasto-mechanoluminescent materials were discovered. But the light produced by bending was so faint it was of little use in the real world. All that has now changed….

A team of scientists from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea have produced a material which emits a bright white light when nitrogen is blown over it. The material features zinc sulphide particles which, when exposed to air, emits light of varying colours according to the proportion of phosphers present.

The scientists claim that harnessing the technology in wind-activated displays or lighting systems could herald a new era of environmentally friendly lights which reduce energy waste.

Sources:

1. www.lighting.co.uk:
   Scientists unveil wind-powered lighting.
2. Royal Society of Chemistry:
   Royal Society of Chemistry - Wind-powered lighting is almost a breeze.