Glow Sticks

A glowstick or lightstick is a transparent plastic tube which contains chemical substances capable to produces light through a chemical reaction induced chemiluminescence which. more...

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The disadvantage of beeing a non rechargable single use device are compensated by various features like: Glowsticks are waterproof, do not use batteries, and are inexpensive and disposable. They can tolerate high pressures, such as those found underwater. Because they do not have batteries or contain electrified filaments like normal flashlights, they are safe for use in explosive environments. They are used as light sources and light markers in various settings such as in the military, by campers, and by recreational divers doing night diving.

They may also be used by marching band conductors for night time performances, and also used for entertainment at parties (especially raves), concerts, and dance clubs. Glowsticking refers to the use of glowsticks in dancing. A further application are light effects, especially balloon-carried light effects.

Special glowstick formulas emitting infrared radiation are used in conjunction with night vision devices.

History

Cyalume was invented by Michael M. Rauhut and Laszlo J. Bollyky of American Cyanamid based on work by Edwin A. Chandross of Bell Labs. Other early work on chemoluminescence was carried out at the same time, by researchers under Herbert Richter at China Lake Naval Weapons Center. Richard Taylor Van Zandt is the registered inventor on the U.S. Patent 4,064,428  filed on November 1, 1976 for the original "Chemical Light Device".

Dangers

Glowsticks are considered the only safe light source immediately following an earthquake, due to the fact that they do not use any kind of electricity to work, and there is no danger of sparking. Glowsticks contain hydrogen peroxide, and phenol is produced as a by-product. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the mixture away from skin, and food if the glowstick case splits, or breaks.

Chemistry

The glowstick contains two chemicals and a suitable fluorescent dye (sensitizer, or fluorophor). The chemicals in the plastic tube are a mixture of the dye and a derivate of phenyl oxalate ester (also called Cyalume). The chemical inside the glass vial is concentrated (about 35%) hydrogen peroxide. By mixing the peroxide with the phenyl oxalate ester, a chemical reaction takes place; the ester is oxidized, yielding two molecules of phenol and one molecule of peroxyacid ester. The peroxyacid decomposes spontaneously to carbon dioxide, releasing energy that excites the dye, which then deexcites by releasing a photon. The wavelength of the photon—the color of the emitted light—depends on the structure of the dye.

Read more at Wikipedia.org