Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

name         Luis
status       other
age          40s

Question -       I would  like to get some help in getting the formula
for fluorecence  or reflector paint I like to apply this formula to help
handicap person for night time going around the house and for night time
signals.
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Paint used for highway marking is reflectorized by dropping very small,
round glass beads of a specific gradation on top of wet paint.  This could
probably be done by hand to wet paint.  Use extreme caution with these beads
on hard surfaces; when they are loose they are like little ball bearings and
can make it very easy to trip.  It may be somewhat impractical to apply
these beads to vertical surfaces.  Check your yellow pages for traffic
striping contractors; they would probably sell or even give you some in
small quantities.

Alternatively, highway signs and other items are reflectorized using special
reflective sheets with adhesive backing.  You could probably buy some sheets
of this material from suppliers that supply road signs.  Pieces of these
sheets that you cut could be stuck to items you wish to highlight.  3M is
the predominant supplier of this material and may sell some products made
specifically for your needs.

Andy Johnson
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I am not sure what fluorescence formula you mean. What chemicals fluoresce,
and how intense the fluorescence is cannot be calculated, I do not think.

Now addressing your objective of luminescent markers for people at night
directly -- I do have a suggestion that gives brilliant fluorescence and is
rather inexpensive:

Small U.V., battery operated lamps are available: dimensions are about
4x1x1/2 inches, comes with case and loop to fit around your wrist. They are
available through Edmunds Scientific, I think.  You can find a supplier from
the Fluorescent Mineral Society (http://www.uvminerals.org), or do a web
search on the topic "hand held UV lights, or portable UV lights, or battery
operated UV lights.  No matter what system you arrive at you are going to
need a UV light source. If you still cannot find anything, respond to NEWTON
BBS and I will see if I can help you find the type of UV source you need.

A very intense fluorescent target is most any high quality paper sheet, even
copier paper or white "stick-on" labels, are pretty good, paper board (e.g.
stock for business cards or greeting cards) or cloth fabric washed or soaked
in most any commercial laundry detergent (but not rinsed) and allowed to
dry. All of these (and other paper sources) emit just about the most intense
fluorescence, because those industries have researched that technology
extensively.

The other advantage is the low cost, the ability to stick them most
anywhere, cut them into shapes, have written directions by masking or by
stenciling.

Let us know how things work out.

Vince Calder
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