Litroenergy is a patent pending designed light source material that emits light for 12 plus years without electricity or sun exposure. Developed by Steve Stark and Michael Kohnen II of MPK Co, the long-life, self-luminous micro particles called Litrospheres emit light continuously for 12 plus years (half-life point) without any exposure to a light or other energy source and are not affected by cold or heat.
Litroenergy involves tiny micro particles of gas and crystals that can power photovoltaic cells 24/7. The two main components, tritium gas and phosphor crystals, work together to produce light. The tritium emits electrons which make the phosphor send out photons (light particles). When sandwiched as a sheet between two photovoltaic cells, the photons hit the cells and produce electricity. This low cost material can be injection moulded or added to paint. It is 5,000lb crush resistant, a stable and constant light source which gives off no U.V. rays , is non toxic and is designed to give off almost any colour of light desired. The fill rate of Litroenergy micro particles in plastic injection moulding material or paint is about 20%.
According to the developers, Litroenergy has the potential to save billions of dollars in energy costs world-wide and surpasses all known available lighting options for cost/durability/reliability and safety. Uses of the product are unlimited but MPK Co predict safety applications to be the front runner such as light safety tape, lighted life rafts/flotation equipment, light safety markings/equipment, etc. The material is bright enough to read by.
Utilizing Litroenergy in combination with solar cells creates a light weight solid-state long term low cost power source (Litroenergy Power Cells). Recent solar cell industry advances producing nano-thin low cost printed solar cells are ideal for application to the polymer Litroenergy sheets to generate electricity. This has many far reaching "long lasting" electrical power generation applications.
Credit: NASA Tech Briefs
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