Hacking the Fluorescent Light

DynaSoar writes "MSNBC reports on an elegant hack performed on the common fluorescent tube. By mixing phosphorescent material with the usual white fluorescent material, American Environmental Products has developed a tube that continues to glow when shut off. Originally intended for submarines, and then used in places where terrorists could disrupt services, they are also perfect for power outages, providing some light so you don't have to thrash around in the dark looking for your candles and flashlights. Since the 'hack' is inside the tube, they can also be removed from their fixtures and carried around, as well as provide light even if they're shattered."

Comments

Found the patent

[GoNINzo]

There's more detail on what he's doing with Patent 6,917,154. It's definately not a hack, it's just a new (and obviously expensive) process. Interesting quote:
The after-glow phosphor of the scotopic after-glow lamp of the present invention is selected with a hyperbolic decay rate dropping to approximately ten (10%) percent of its initial brightness in about six minutes and to one-tenth that in an hour.
Anyway, read up, interesting stuff.

Have had them in Japan for years...

[CaptainBogus]

I have one in my bedroom here in Japan for the last four years. It is a ring florescent tube that glows like a night light after the light goes out. The light is made by NEC and is called Hotarukku (a play on the word hotaru, which is Japanese for firefly). It seems they launched the product in March 2000. http://www.nelt.co.jp/navi/la_shg/fre_shg.htm (Japanese) gives specs and has some pics showing the room lit with the light on and off.

Re:RTFA already

[Dun Malg]

After reading the tedious patent, apparently they are using strontium aluminate, not zinc sulfide. The toxicology on strontium aluminate is "This product is non-toxic". It's also reactive only with acids, and doesn't burn. Basically, about as hazardous as dirt.