Light fantastic

Problem: Solution: At the just held 'Detour' show, an 'unofficial' event for new designers at the Neon Gallery in Spitalfields, London, visitors were struck by a blue, glowing window blind. Not only was it decorated with an intricate pattern of vines, but these lit up in sequence in a hypnotic pattern. Designer Rachel Wingfield told Eureka that the pattern was screen printed electroluminescent material on a fine grade of ITO polymer and coated/laminated onto silk. As well as this, she has also demonstrated her ability to incorporate blue electroluminescence into quilts, pillows and other textile based items. She works with Elumin8, based in Ferndown, Dorset, and they hope to put the blind into production quite soon. Applications: Most of the products so far manufactured by Elumin8 have been for various advertising promotions. In 1999, the company made 120 five panel starry backdrops for Woolworths for their Christmas window displays. The company describes its lamps as strong and flexible, producing negligible heat and with low energy consumption. Combined with the smart fabric keypads and some of the polymer based electronic and organic light emitting technologies described in our August edition, future clothes, furniture and car interiors will be able to have capabilities and appearances only limited by human imagination. TS L-o-o-p Reactive Surfaces elumin8 systems