Activated Chemiluminescent Gels for Intrusion Detection

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a self-contained, biodegradable, chemiluminescent hydrogel for applications in covert determination of trespass. The hydrogel will stabilize the generation of light by mimicking a solution-phase environment. PSI’s design is expected to yield a pressure-activated passive chemiluminescent signal that will persist at readable luminosities for about 2 weeks, with gradual loss of the signal. PSI’s taggant powder will represent a significant advancement over other self-generated lighting systems because it will not present an environmental hazard or leave behind telltale waste. Chemiluminescent gels offer a tunable emission wavelength due to the spectral diversity of fluorophores that can be chosen as the light emitter, or lumophore. During Phase I development we will utilize a red-emitting lumophore. Subsequent development would be to utilize a near-infrared lumophore so that only those wearing night vision goggles can view the taggant response, and/or a green lumophore for enhanced visible detection capability.