Solid-state radiation-emitting compositions and devices

A composition comprising:

• (a) an aerogel substrate;
• (b) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy;
• and
• (c) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy;
• wherein said aerogel substrate is loaded with at least one of (b) and (c) in the form of a composite with a carrier material, said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy, and said substrate transmits said radiation of said second energy to a substantial degree.

A composition comprising:

• (a) a substrate having a porosity of at least 30 vol. %;
• (b) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy;
• and
• (c) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction with said radiation of said first energy;
• wherein said porous substrate is loaded with at least one of (b) and (c) in the form of a composite with a carrier material, wherein one of (b) and (c) is bonded to said carrier material and said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy, with the proviso that said composite is not a zeolite crystalline material in which both (b) and (c) are loaded.

A method of generating radiation comprising preparing an aerogel substrate loaded with:

• (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy;
• and
• (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy;
• wherein at least one of (a) and (b) is in the form of a composite with a carrier material.

In a radiation-emitting composition comprising tritium and a component which emits non-.beta. radiation upon interaction with .beta.-radiation emanating from said tritium, the improvement wherein the improved said composition comprises:

• (a) an aerogel substrate;
• (b) tritium as a source of .beta.-radiation;
• and
• (c) a component capable of emitting non-.beta. radiation upon interaction of said component with said .beta.-radiation;
• wherein at least one of (b) and (c) is in the form of a composite with a carrier material, and said composition volumetrically emits said non-.beta. radiation.