subject: Why Electroluminescence Wire [print this page] The phenomenon of electroluminescence was first noticed by Captain Henry Round in 1908 when he passed current through silicon carbide. Unfortunately, nothing much came from Round"s discovery, and the second reported observation of electroluminescence didn" take place until 1923. Luckily, this time the people who observed it realised they might be onto something, and over the years an increasing number of scientists began to work with electroluminescence in the hope of developing it into something with a practical application.
Of course the most obvious application for the technology was as a domestic light source; however in these early days the lifespan of electroluminescent materials wasn"t sufficient for this idea to be practical. Fortunately, this setback didn"t prevent the development of materials with electroluminescent properties and after years spent finessing electroluminescent technology (the incorporation of phosphor into scientist"s thinking was a huge forward step) it can now be found in everything from lighting displays to instrument panels.
One of the main reasons for the success of electroluminescent products in recent years has been the development of EL wire. Essentially a copper wire that is coated in phosphor and then surrounded by a PVC sheath, when current is passed through EL wire it begins to glow. What makes EL wire such an excellent tool for lighting installations? It gives off no heat "" meaning it can be used anywhere and on anything. For example, one of the areas where the use of EL wire is becoming increasingly popular is in the fashion industry. Costume makers and fashion designers are taking advantage of electroluminescent wire"s versatility"" wires come in all thicknesses and colours - and flexibility to create eye catching designs for the catwalk and the stage. The world of safety clothing has also been quick to recognise EL wire"s potential, and it"s now being used in everything from high visibility jackets to cycle helmets.
The 360 degree light emitted by EL wires has also made them a very appealing option for lighting designers, and it"s now common to see electroluminescent lighting systems in trendy bars, modern residential properties and even on the facades of the buildings.
Because, EL wire is now available very cheaply, it has become extremely popular among electronics enthusiasts and hobbyists. Its malleability and the fact that it requires very little energy in order to power it, makes it much better alternative to LED lighting set-ups. Whether it"s for use in a lighting design, display read out or just to give a project a futuristic feel, it"s possible for amateur engineers to use EL wires for a myriad of purposes. Because EL wire is so simple to shape and use (you simply connect it to a power source) hobbyists have found it incredibly easy to produce effects and creations that wouldn"t have been possible even a few short years ago.
Thanks to the internet, it"s now very easy to source a wide range of EL wire and other electroluminescent devices. The website of a company called Proto-Pic (http://proto-pic.co.uk/categories/Electroluminescent-Materials/) offers EL wire in a wide variety of lengths and colours, and their rates are some of the lowest in the market, with EL wire kits starting from under ten pounds.
