Directory:MPK Co's Litroenergy
From PESWiki
GlowPaint glow-in-the-dark paint company, MPK Co., has come up with self-luminous micro particles called Litrospheres™ which they say are inexpensive, non-toxic, and will stay on for 12+ years (half-life point) continuously -- without having to be plugged into any power source. It is a betavoltaic technology, using a radioactive gas, whose "soft" emission of electrons from the beta emitting gas cannot penetrate the glass or polymer wall of the microspheres.
The Litrospheres™ are not affected by heat or cold, and are 5,000-pound crush resistant. They can be injection molded or added to paint. The fill rate of Litroenergy micro particles in plastic injection molding material or paint is about 20%. The constant light gives off no U.V. rays, and can be designed to emit almost any color of light desired.
The company seeks to mass produce this mateiral and supply OEMs.
- "This has potential to save billions in energy costs world-wide. Litroenergy™ surpasses all known available lighting options for cost/durability/reliability and safety." -- Steve Stark, MPK Co.
They first announced the technology at NASA's TEch Briefs: LitroEnergy - New Light Source Material (http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=567).
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Official Website
- http://www.glopaint.com "We are the technological leader for glow-in-the-dark material and offer advanced materials for all your needs! We offer retail products, custom orders to wholesale materials for OEM's. Our products are LEAD FREE and Non-Radioactive!"
- Research and Development (http://www.glopaint.com/ResearchDevelopment.htm) Litroenergy - "We have the most amazing light source discovery. Please check back for more details on our new material."
- http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=567 - Submitted by Steve Stark to NASA tech Briefs. This was their first public exposure of the technology.
Interview
- Download (http://pesn.com/Radio/Free_Energy_Now/recordings/2008/080107_MikePKohnenII_and_SteveStark_MPK_Co_Litroenergy.mp3) (13mb; mp3) - On Jan. 7, 2008 Sterling D. Allan conducted an interview the inventor, Mike P. Kohnen II, and with Steve Stark, both of MPK Co, as part of the Free Energy Now (http://freeenergynow.net) radio series. This was the first interview that Mr, Kohnen has done about this new technology, thanks to the attention and interest that has come their way as a result of this (page) PES Network coverage.
Latest Developments
Jan. 31,2008
NASA announces that Litroenergy has won the Grand Prize (http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/prizes/winners.html) in NASA's 2007 "Create the Future" contest.
Oct. 5, 2007
LITROENERGY: Detailed Submission for Create The Future Contest
See photo/image and details about Litroenergy at this link:
- LitroEnergy - New Light Source Material (http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=567) - submitted to NASA Tech Briefs
How it Works
That's proprietary.
Costs
The cost to light up 8½ x 11 piece of plastic 1/8” thick with Litrospheres is about 35 cents. [1] (http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=567)
Applications
"The uses are unlimited as the imagination; however we predict the safety aspects to be the front runner in application (light safety tape, lighted life rafts/flotation equipment, light safety markings/equipment, etc.). Supplemental light source will be second as the material is bright and one can read by it, if you have some Litroenergy lighting you will not need to always turn on a light source that requires electricity. The use of Litroenergy in toys, sports/camping equipment, bikes and novelty uses will be close in applications." [2] (http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=567)
Patents
Litroenergy is a patent pending designed light source material. It was filed simultaneously in the U.S. and PCT.
Referenced Patent
- US Patent 4,677,008 (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4677008.PN.&OS=PN/4677008&RS=PN/4677008); Safe and efficient self-luminous microspheres; June 30, 1987; Robert D. Webb
Note: This patent, which has expired, is referenced in the MPK patent application.
- Abstract
- This invention relates to a means for more efficiently and more safely providing self-luminous lighting devices for use in signs, markers, indicators and the like. Said invention provides self luminosity by means of a plurality of glass microspheres containing both a light emitting phosphor and a radioactive gas. The "soft" emission of electrons from the beta emitting gas can not penetrate the glass wall of the microspheres, thereby constituting no radiation hazard. The containment of the self-luminous system within an envelope which does not pass any radiation prevents the deterioration of nearby organic materials. A further advantage of said invention is that the plurality of individual containment envelopes minimize the escape of radioactive gas in the event of any physical damage to an assembly of such envelopes. A still further advantage of my invention is that the radioactive gas completely surrounds the phosphor particles, thus causing light emission from 100 percent of the surface of said particles.
Robert D. Webb News Coverage
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Profiles
Inventor: Mike P. Kohnen II
Mike P. Kohnen II was a top engineer with a plastics firm. As an avid fisherman, he wanted a way to see his pole moving in the dark so he could see when a fish was biting at night. His first innovation with glow-in-the-dark material was to come up with a way to greatly enhance the material, which prior had only a fluoresce of 15 to 20 minutes after an exposure to light. He was able to improve the fluoresce for up to three days after only a 15 minute exposure to light. He then focused on developing colors, various powders, pigments, pellets and specializing in creating formulations for OEM's for their varied applications and requirements. The glow paints and materials he creates are all lead free and non-radioactive.
Mike has recently created products for retailers and consumers and these can be seen on his site. Some of these products include his advance glow-in-the-dark materials in easy to use paint tubes and spray cans.
This was the foundation of his technologically advanced GlowPaint - MPK. CO. business.
Representative: Steve Stark
Steve Stark is a engineer/designer specializing in sports/toy inventing and product development.
"I have created a line of Wham-O Frisbee® disc's and one has just been launched in stores in 2008 (Wham-O's 60th Anniversary).
The high performance"EZ Spin Foam Frisbee Disc" are in Target stores or Amazon.com and can be found at other major retailers near you." This is a soft foam disc for easy catching, easy to grip and throw while offering a blue plastic center so anyone can easily spin the disc on a finger! You can even turn the disc upside down and easily spin the disc on your finger like a pro!
Here is an article that best describes the disc:
The EZ Spin is a revolutionary Foam Frisbee® Disc being referred to online as the best recreational disc available today. After flying one of these multi-feature toys, it is “EZ” to see why.
Wham-O, who originally created the Frisbee® disc, went back to the drawing board and created the perfect mix of fun and sport with this new disc product. The EZ Spin disc is a high performance disc made from amazing waterproof foam material that can be used at the beach/pool or in a disc sport (Ultimate, Disc Golf, Freestyle) including Disc Tag! Who would have thought you can play Disc Tag? FYI, it’s not easy to out-run this foam disc! Players will appreciate the foam material and high performance flight.
The EZ Spin, which comes in yellow or red, is EZ to catch, grip and throw all day with the kids and is very EZ on the hands! The waterproof soft foam (advanced closed cell material) makes this disc absolutely perfect for the beach/pool. The special blue dual spin plastic center feature of the EZ Spin disc is for comfortable finger placement on the disc that allows everyone the EZ way to spin the disc right side or upside down on a finger (almost addictive) - just like a Freestyle pro!
In the high speed game of Ultimate the EZ Spin became the preferred disc for our game as a player is not afraid to launch the disc at high speeds to a team mate because it is a foam disc! The Disc Golf “inside word” is the EZ Spin is a secret weapon for anyone’s Disc Golf bag as I found when this disc hits the hole (the chains) it immediately drops into the basket.
Disc beginners to sports enthusiasts will all agree that the EZ Spin disc is a revolutionary disc and certainly the best recreational disc available today!
The weight is approx. 150 Grams (perfect freestyle weight).
More at Wham-O.com (http://www.wham-o.com/default.cfm?page=ViewProducts&ProductID=140&Category=2)
Coverage
In the News
- Google News > Litroenergy (http://news.google.com/news?q=litroenergy)
- Flexible Light Source For 24/7 Lighting (http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/flexible-light-source-for-247-lighting/) (EcoFriend; Dec. 10, 2007)
- Litroenergy - New Light Source Material (emits light for 12 years without electricity) (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937720/posts) (FreeRepublic; Dec. 10, 2007)
- New Light Glows For 12 Years (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/new_light_glows.php) (TreeHugger; 12.10.07)
- Continuous Light Doesn't Need to be Plugged In (http://digg.com/environment/Continuous_Light_Doesn_t_Need_to_be_Plugged_In) — GlowPaint glow-in-the-dark paint company, MPK Co., has come up with self-luminous micro particles called Litrospheres(TM) which they say are inexpensive, non-toxic, and will stay on for 12+ years (half-life point) continuously — without having to be plugged into any power source. (Digg; Dec. 9, 2007)
- Rocketboom - Horses and Spaceships "Litroenergy" (http://www.rocketboom.com/vlog/rb_07_dec_13/) - (ROCKETBOOM VIDEO; Dec. 13, 2007)
- Litroenergy - New Light Source Material that lasts for 12 years (http://www.megavolt.co.il/articles/litroenergy.html/) - (Megavolt; Dec. 22, 2007)
- New product 'lights up' their lives (http://www.pressnews.com/articles/2008/03/09/champlin-dayton_press/news/3nasaprize.txt/) (Champlin-Dayton Press; March 5, 2008)
Other Coverage
- Google > Litroenergy (http://www.google.com/search?q=litroenergy) - 15 entries as of Dec. 8, 2007; 258 entries as of Dec. 15, 2007. 9,850 entries as of Dec. 19, 2007.
Comments
See Discussion page
Probably Tritium; Not New; Not Dangerous; Not T100
On Dec. 10, 2007, New Energy Congress member, Richard P. George, Ph.D., Ph.D. wrote:
My best guess is that they are using tritium. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. It is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that reacts with the human body in the same manner as natural hydrogen. Beta rays from the tritium hit phosphors to create the glow you see. Tritium has a half-life of 12.5 years, which means that in that time the lamp will be half as bright as it originally was. Trijicon uses tritium in their ACOG rifle scopes in common use in Iraq and Afghanistan by the special forces (government issued) and thousands of individual soldiers who purchased their own scopes. Tritium is also used in some watches.
Beta particle radiation can cause skin burns and are most harmful when they enter the body (becoming small radioactive cancer causing bombs). They can be blocked by thin sheets of metal or plastic. Small amounts of tritium (e.g. one ACOG scope or one watch) have minimal radiation. You would have to have ~10,000 ACOG scopes or ~2,500 tritium watches break in one room to have any significant radiation or risk. I don't know about these paints but I suspect it would be hard for the tritium beta particles to escape the paint such that they could do harm.
The intensity is not very strong. This is good enough for night illumination of rifle scopes, watches, and emergency signs but it is not going to come anywhere close to matching the light output of or replace electric light bulbs (incandescent, flourescent, LED, etc.) or kerosene lanterns.
Tritium illumination has been around for at least 25 years.
This is not a top 100 technology.
Revolutionary but Not Substantial
On Dec. 9, 2007, NEC member, Ken Rauen wrote:
This technology, though very revolutionary, does not emit enough light to take the place of any substantial lighting source. The amount of electricity avoided is negligible.
Opens New Lighting Vistas
On Dec. 11, 2007, NEC member, Sterling D. Allan wrote:
While this energy source will not go very far in replacing existing lighting, what it does do is open new avenues not previously plausible -- light anywhere, continuously, inexpensively, without an electrical source required. It is a huge step forward in improving quality of life. Darkened alleyways, streets, rooms, hallways can be lit.
Even if the amount of light is not huge; in otherwise total darkness, a little bit of light goes a long way. The safety and fun ramifications are huge.
And because of the ease of manufacturing and implementation, the number of applications will be vast, so that there will indeed be a significant savings in existing energy costs. For that reason, I think it does belong in our Top 100. This is one of the coolest things to come along.
Related Technologies
- The completely unpowered night light (http://www.gizmag.com/go/7472/) - Lunabrite (http://www.lunabrite.com/) glowing strip lights recharge fully in the sunlight and glow for between 3 and 12 hours after dark without ever needing batteries or electricity. It's completely child and pet-safe, non-toxic, weather- and UV-resistant and anti-microbial. (GizMag; Jun. 21, 2007)
Contact
http://www.glopaint.com/ContactUs.htm
GLOW PAINT™; GLO PAINT™
MPK CO.
602 West Clayton Avenue
Clayton, WI 54004-9101 USA
Phone: 715-948-2100
Marketing Executive, Steve Stark can be reached at: 763-528-3885
email: minnesotainventor@yahoo.com (mailto:minnesotainventor@yahoo.com?subject=Litroenergy_featured_at_PESWiki)
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