Luminous fabric, or photoluminescent fabric, is a new type of textile based on either fiber optics or LEDs. This fabric is currently (as of April 2007) sold by only three companies: Luminex, headquartered in Italy, LumiGram, a French luxuries company, and Philips, the global electronics giant. The luminous fabric uses low-voltage (3-5 V) batteries to provide a pleasant glow in any color. Specific designs can produce varying intensities, allowing patterns or pictures to be embedded in the fabric. Luminous fabric is a good example of a product that is just starting out, and observing its adoption will be an interesting case study in product economics and sociology.
Since fiber optics were invented in the 1970s, companies have experimented with the idea of luminous fabrics, but it's not until now - the late 00s - that the technology is truly workable. This is thanks to advances in optics and materials science. Different approaches are being used: Luminex and LumiGram are going with fiber optics, whereas Philips uses tiny LEDs. Both approaches require batteries, and produce negligible heat despite their luminosity. Batteries must be removed before washing. The luminous fabric must be hand-washed, and, while relatively flexible, will break if folded directly in half.
Luminous fabric, unlike neon and glow-in-the-dark lights, provides a subtle, multicolored light making it much better suited to various design schemes. Luminous fabric is interesting because while it has recently become available, it is up for the customers to come up with creative uses for it, which could in turn determine how popular it ultimately becomes. A few ideas: luminous pillows, table placements, bedspreads, draperies, paintings, etc. It could also be useful for night clubs, temporary street signs, parties, Halloween decorations, and many more uses.
Work is underway to embed sensors within the luminous fabric which would allow it to respond to environmental cues such as temperature, moisture, or wind. A room covered with temperature-sensitive fabric could be an amazing sight. A blouse that responds to the vibrations produced by the heart would truly be a unique class of clothing and a novel form of human expression. The potential for this fabric is obviously quite large, and it seems likely we'll see it pop up in homes, restaurants, and clubs in the years to come.
By Michael Anissimov