National Research Development Corporation

Technology offer

Long Afterglow Phosphor Powder

The technology offers a simple and novel process of production

of a non-toxic, non-radioactive, photoluminescent powder that
can be coated onto almost any object which causes it to
continuously glow in the dark. It can be mixed with glue, paint,
resin, candle wax, concrete, varnish, glass etc. For the best
glow, it can be used in a clear medium on a white background.

The Long Afterglow Phosphor (LAP) absorbs visible or

ultraviolet (UV) lights for less than 10 minutes in the daylight and glows in the dark by
emitting green-yellow light for almost 10-12 hours. Phosphors are thus able to convert
absorbed (visible/invisible) energies in the form of moving particles or quanta of radiation into
visible light. These phosphors find wide-range of applications in defense, domestic,
commercial as well as in scientific domains.

Luminescence is a two-step process and involves

excitation of electronic system and emission of photons
from the phosphor. The material that shows the
phenomenon of luminescence is called a Luminescent
Material or simply Phosphor.

Long Afterglow Phosphor Powder (LAP) is a special kind of

inorganic light emitting material that is non-radioactive in
nature. The interesting feature of this material is that it
absorbs ambient room light or sunlight for less than 10 minutes and gets charged up to emit
visible radiations in the dark conditions for many hours to days. In other words, LAP is one of
such special materials that could emit visible light for several hours even after all light sources
are switched off. The laboratory tests have established that the Long Afterglow Phosphor
Powder developed by the present technology is of International Standards and the
technology has been protected by patents granted in India. Further, some International
patents have also been filed.

The LAP Powder Products will charge, glow, recharge and glow for years.

Manufacturing Process

Raw materials are grounded to a specific mesh size and then mixed in specified proportions
thoroughly. The mixture is then heated at high temperature in the range of 800-1500 Deg. C
in a controlled atmosphere for 1-5 hours. Thus the sintered mass obtained is yellowish-green
emitting long afterglow phosphor. The phosphor thus synthesized is ground, washed and
sieved to desired particle size depending on its application.
Plant and Machinery

The main machinery required are, Furnaces, Roller mill, ball mill, DI Water Plant, Jaw
Crusher SS, Heat Treatment Trays, Vessels, Sieves with Shakers, Ovens.

Market Potential

The Long Afterglow Phosphor powder has every

potentiality in the segments using conventional or other
type of materials in the form of fluorescent powders,
plastic tapes, paints etc. There is a wide scope of its
application on the roads and highways for warning signs,
accident prevention indicators; dark vision display and
many other areas, which need to be explored.

Safety and escape route markings & codes for Defense

establishments, Tall buildings and establishments (as per statutory fire safety enforcement),
currency notes and electrical switches may be some of the major consumers for the product.

The vast development of national highways, roads and other infrastructures like hospitals,
entertainment and amusement parks would certainly generate huge demand for Long
Afterglow Phosphor Powder products.

Applications

In general, phosphors have wide range of applications in day to day life such as:
Fluorescent Lamps
TV pictures tubes, cathode ray tubes
Computer monitors
X-ray imaging Screens
Backlighting of LCD in mobile phones
Producing special effect in bars, discotheques etc.

However, the LAP phosphors have strategic applications that could be used for:
Escape route signage and rescue guidance systems
Warning signs on highways
Warning signs in theaters
Warning signs and accident prevention measures
Dark vision display applications
Toys, sports equipment, enamels and ceramic tiles
Household Switches
Markings of important machinery
Special effects in bars and discotheques

The phosphorescent glow in the dark LAP powder may be applied as an additive to liquid
mediums, printing inks, plastics of all types, glass, porcelain glazes, inks and other
transparent media to achieve the self-luminescent affects. The LAP powder may be extruded
or injection molded into most plastics and incorporated into most resins, coatings and clear
mediums.
For Further Details Please Contact:

Dr. Ashish Kumar Srivastava

Deputy Manager
National Research Development Corporation (NRDC)
(An Enterprise of DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre,
Kailash Colony Extension,
New Delhi: 110048
EPABX : +91-11-29240401-07 Extn. 321
Phone : +91-11-29240699
Fax : +91-11-29242409-10
Mobile : +91-11-9818995833
E-mail : asrivastava@nrdc.in; asrivastava.nrdc@gmail.com
Website : http://www.nrdcindia.com