Glow Sticks 101--How They Work
There are
several US patents for 'glow stick' type devices by various
inventors most related to the US navy. The first and original was actually
invented as early as 1964. In 1976 the patent for the Chemiluminescent Lighting
Device was registered. Since that time the simple and safe to use devices have
become widely used in many areas. You probably most commonly see them in bars
and night-clubs however they are regularly used by emergency services on land
and sea. The original design was born out of the need to have a light source
without fire, heat or batteries and was readily used by land and marine forces
and soon became popular amongst civilian and commercial use.
Without fire or battery how do they work? 3 types of light.
In all
cases atoms are excited to emit light photos. With batteries and other sources
of electric currents, light photons are emitted due to heat (incandescence) from
the filament of a light bulb, often intensified with reflective backing and
magnified with glass or plastic.
The most
extreme form of light compared to incandescence is that of lasers. Laser light
is emitted by machinery that concentrates the emission of light with powerful
stimulation, more costly however highly intensified.
The third
type of light is chemiluminescent light, where photons are released by a
chemical reaction. This is the light produced by your everyday glow stick or glow
products.
How do the devices and the chemical reaction work?
We know
that the devices release light and we can that light comes from a liquid
inside. Actually there are 2 chemicals present. Although these chemicals have
been adjusted and refined from the early days of military use, and now they are
non-toxic and non-flammable, a measure of care is always recommended. Just as
there is a reaction when you drop a mentos sweet into diet coca-cola, there is
a chemical reaction when the two chemicals are mixed inside the stick. Normally
one of the chemicals is sealed inside a very thin glass like tube inside the
outer chemical and that is why you normally need to bend the stick to start it.
The glass container carrying one of the chemicals will shatter and allow the
solutions to mix. As with all chemical reactions the level of heat will
influence the light emitted. If you have a warm stick it will emit light
brightly for a shorter period of time, and a frozen stick will emit light for a
long period of time but at much lower levels.
Practical Uses
Most of us, except those of us who regularly go
camping think of them as only party devices. The reality is that they can be
used in a number of serious and important situations. And due to relatively
cheap cost, the recyclable nature, makes them an excellent tool for safety and
rescue situations as mentioned above. Despite them being cheap they have an
extremely long shelf life. Kept in a cool and dry place they can last up to 4
years. Now you are thinking that there are many safe uses and are a much safer
option than candles stored in your home in the case of a black out.
This post is written by Business Process Outsourcing.
This post is written by Business Process Outsourcing.
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