Electroluminescent Ceramic Materials

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method and device for generating light using a ceramic component made from cuprates (copper oxide-based superconductors), which are exposed to an electric voltage or field at temperatures below 0°C. Uniquely, this system can emit light at extremely low temperatures without requiring pre-heating, complicated technical setups, or a vacuum environment. The light emission is energy-efficient and can be tailored to different wavelengths by adjusting material composition.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Lighting solutions for extremely cold environments (e.g., polar regions, high-altitude installations)
• Lighting systems for space missions (e.g., Mars habitats, spacecraft operating at cryogenic temperatures)
• Instrument or display illumination in sub-zero conditions where other types of light sources fail or are inefficient
• Industrial or laboratory equipment needing light generation at low temperatures
• Special-purpose lighting where oxygen-rich atmospheres exist, but oxidation of the light-emitting component must be avoided

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables reliable light generation at very low (sub-zero) temperatures, even down to cryogenic levels
• Significantly reduces energy consumption compared to conventional lamps that require heating
• Simplifies technical requirements—no need for vacuum chambers or protective gas environments
• Resists oxidation due to the ceramic/oxide nature of the materials, allowing use in air or oxygen-rich atmospheres
• Allows tailoring of emitted light's wavelength and color by adjusting material composition
• Offers potential for longer-lasting and more robust light sources in harsh, cold, or mission-critical environments

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for generating light and to the use of a component for emitting light. In a method for generating light, a component (12) comprising a first material (14) from the group of cuprates is exposed to an electric voltage and/or an electric field at a temperature T below 0 °C such that the component (12) emits light. In this manner, a light generation process is provided which is possible even at very low temperatures while substantially saving energy and with a substantially reduced degree of technical complexity.