Glow Dark

Glow Dark

How do Glow in the Dark Bracelets Work?

Glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces have become massively popular as a staple of the dance scene, and more recently, of a good night out anywhere: from a big club to your mate's bedroom. But very few people know anything about the technology behind them.

Glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces are made from glow sticks: translucent plastic tubes containing isolated chemical substances, which, when combined, produce light. This light comes from a process called ‘chemiluminescence,' which is caused by the chemical reaction produced when the different chemicals in the glow stick mix together, and doesn't need an electrical power source. Because it doesn't need any external power, glow sticks are actually used to provide light for military forces, police forces, and fire brigades – as well as for entertainment in clubs.

Glow sticks use a type of chemical called ‘fluorophores,' which has many different types which can be adapted for different uses. Part of their charm is their extreme reaction to ultraviolet light, which is what makes them such an essential for club parties. Few people know this, but you can also preserve the life of your glowstick by keeping it in the fridge or freezer for two or three hours, making it last for more than one night. This works because the cold gives a semi-solid state to the mixture of chemicals inside the glow stick, slowing down the photon release. However, this may lead to a slightly less bright glow stick. When heated, glow sticks become brighter; but this will make the glow stick's light die out sooner, so if you do this, be prepared and bring along a decent supply of sticks to last all night.

The journey which would lead to glow in the dark bracelets becoming commonplace fashion accessories started in scientific labs across America. There is no one single inventor of the magical glow stick formula; rather, many patents have been issued for different types of devices, and elements within the devices – mostly to people connected with the US Navy. But like many inventions, glow sticks have strayed far from the uses they were originally developed for. You almost certainly don't think of warships needing emergency light sources when you think of a glow stick, but of the final element of a great night out!

However, when you really think about glow sticks, it's obvious how unique they are. Not needing any external source of energy, they can stay dormant for a long time before they're needed. They're easy to work (just snap one end!) and are not fire hazards, as the light is created by phosphorescence, not fire or energy stimulation. They're also waterproof, inexpensive, and can tolerate high pressure: divers use them during night diving, as the perfect light source! They're also the only light source which is completely safe for use immediately after a natural disaster, bomb strike, etc, because they have no explosive electrical elements. When used for these purposes, of course, they're not brightly coloured and exciting: the dye used for ‘party' glow sticks is omitted, leaving a clear white light.

The popularity of glow sticks for one purpose – entertainment – though, has been incredible; even leading to the coining of a new verb, ‘glowsticking,' which refers to the use of glow sticks in dancing. Very popular during the dance scene, they can now be found at any outdoor festival all over the world, from Guy Fawkes' Night to Chinese New Year. Children love to use them as toys; which has the helpful side-effect of keeping them visible to their parents in dark, crowded situations.

So next time you go out bedecked in glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces, you might like to remember the amazing technology that actually goes into making your party companions. Alternatively, as Lady Gaga says, just dance – and enjoy the magical effects that glow sticks can bring!

About the Author

James Cameron wrote the Article about glow in the dark bracelets and found the following website useful http://uk.ask.com/wiki/Glow-in-the-dark

What is in glow in the dark beads that causes them to glow?

I've noticed that my glow in the dark beads have small, barely noticeable dots are spread throughout them. Do you know if this has anything to do with the substance that makes them glow or is it something entirely different?

I believe it may be a form of Phosphorus.

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