E-Lumi-Tex

Active Lighting by textile finishing

Invention
Researchers of the Niederrhein University have invented a method to produce
electroluminescent textile surface by conventional printing methods.
The invention describes the manufacture of a textile actively illuminating. The
individual electrodes, the active
luminescent
layer
and
other
additional layers are applied to any
textile in various process steps. The
flexible fabric illuminates by applying
an electrical current "from within" in
different colours depending on the
luminescent
pigment.
Through
dyeing or printing of the textile
additional colours can be produced.

The figure shows a self-luminous fabric with two

luminating colours and a printed pattern.

Competitive Advantages
High product diversity, as any
textile surfaces can be printed
Traditional application
methods of the textile
industry
Amazing Light Effect
Industrially feasible
Complementary coloring and
design options

In contrast to the currently best

available technology for producing
electroluminescent
textiles,
the
present method requires no metallic
fibres or other conductive surfaces
in the textile. The first electrode
layer, as all others following are
applied via traditional application
methods on any fabric, if this was
pre-treated accordingly depending
on the material and density. Both
conductive layers and the isolating
di-electric layer altered into waterbased polymers for the production of
a prototype.

Commercial Opportunities
E-Lumi-Tex has been developed primarily for decorative purposes in home textiles
and commercial sectors; the technology is being further developed for other
applications such as automotive or safety textiles. Those specialty textiles are being
possible due to the combination of a very innovative technology and traditional
manufacturing process.
Current Status
An international Patent application has been filed for the invention. The interest in the
textile industry is enormous for this technology. PROvendis offers companies license
agreements. If necessary, a network for all steps in manufacturing process is
available.
An invention of the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein (HS Niederrhein).

Contact:
Ref. No.: 2187
Dr. Thorsten Schaefer

PROvendis GmbH is the patent licensing agency for the universities of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
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