Cuprous cysteamine optical materials for visible light enhancement
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorWei Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are composite materials that comprise one or more copper-cysteamines capable of converting higher frequency, lower wavelength radiation into visible light. As used, the produced visible light enhances the amount of visible light already present from natural or artificial sources.
Claims20
A compound having the formula:
- Cu3X(SR)2
- wherein R is —CH2CH2NH2;
- and
- X is chosen from Br, or I.
A composite, comprising:
- a) a visible light enhancing composition, comprising:
- i) a first copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 520 nm to about 700 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- ii) a second copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 400 to about 520 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- b) a substrate;
- wherein the copper-cysteamine has the formula:
- Cu3X(SR)2
- wherein R is —CH2CH2NH2;
- and
- X is chosen from Cl, Br, or I.
A method for providing solid state lighting having enhanced visible light, comprising;
- A) exposing a composite, comprising:
- a) a visible light enhancing composition, comprising:
- i) a first copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 520 nm to about 700 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- ii) a second copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 400 to about 520 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- b) a substrate;
- B) to a source of electromagnetic radiation;
- wherein the copper-cysteamine has the formula:
- Cu3X(SR)2
- wherein R is —CH2CH2NH2;
- and
- X is chosen from Cl, Br, or I;
- and
- wherein further the electromagnetic radiation impinges upon the composite thereby increasing the amount of electromagnetic radiation in the visible range.
A method for enhancing the growth rate of one or more plants, comprising covering the plant with:
- A) exposing an article of manufacture, comprising:
- a) a composite, comprising:
- i) a first copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 520 nm to about 700 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- ii) a second copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 400 to about 520 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- b) a substrate;
- B) to a source of electromagnetic radiation;
- wherein the copper-cysteamine has the formula:
- Cu3X(SR)2
- wherein R is —CH2CH2NH2;
- and
- X is chosen from Cl, Br, or I;
- and
- wherein further the electromagnetic radiation impinges upon the article of manufacture wherein the composite increases the amount of electromagnetic radiation emitted in the visible range and thereby provides for increased growth rate to the one or more plants.
The method according to claim 17, wherein the article of manufacture is a polymeric sheet.
A method for detecting radiation, comprising:
- A) exposing an article of manufacture, comprising:
- a) a composite, comprising:
- i) a first copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 520 nm to about 700 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- ii) a second copper-cysteamine that emits visible light in the range of from about 400 to about 520 nm when exposed to UV radiation;
- and
- b) a substrate;
- B) to a source of radiation;
- and
- C) detecting the increased amount of visible light present;
- wherein the copper-cysteamine has the formula:
- Cu3X(SR)2
- wherein R is —CH2CH2NH2;
- and
- X is chosen from Cl, Br, or I.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.