Photoluminescent Printed Fabrics: Design and Development …
97
6 Conclusion
It may be concluded that in photoluminescent pigments aqua blue and yellow-green
pigment size, concentration and surface texture play a significant role, in the intensity of luminescence exhibited by the photoluminescent pigment printed textiles.
Pigments aqua blue and yellow-green at the particle size of 10–15 μm were visually
perceived best by the elderly at the photoluminescent pigment concentration of 20 %
of print paste for an average duration of 4.5 h. The average lux reading observed
was about 0.16 lux on cotton fabrics which is equal to starry night as per DlN67510
Standards. Dupion and Matka silk printed fabrics exhibited higher luminosity than
mulberry silk printed fabrics. This may be attributed to the coarse texture of these
fabrics which supported in the deposition of more PL pigments during printing than
the smooth fabric surface of mulberry silk fabric as per the SEM studies.
Though the lux value of the PL pigment printed fabrics was recorded below 1
lux, the luminosity of the PL printed samples is visually perceptible by all the users.
The elderly were able to perceive the photoluminescence of the photoluminescent
pigments aqua blue and yellow-green pigment in low nightlight conditions. It has
been perceived by the elderly that the photoluminescence exhibits a soft glow with
no glare. The luminosity does not cause disturbances in the sleep patterns of the
elderly.
Studies on real nighttime environment showed that a diverse range of products in
home fashion may be designed using photoluminescent pigment printed textiles.
Therefore photoluminescent pigments in print in the concentration of 20 % and
particle size of 10–15 μm may find applications in the design of interiors and soft
furnishings at home for the elderly. Photoluminescent printed fabrics may be used as
nightlight using for the elderly for safety and preventive measure. It may additionally
be used for edge definition and path lighting. The prints may be used as nightlight,
door handle covers for bathroom doors, refrigerators, etc., to help in navigation
at night. Cushions, table runners, carpet and area rugs, edge of bedding, curtains,
etc., maybe printed with photoluminescent pigments to facilitate navigation and path
lighting in home spaces. Thus aqua glow from these photoluminescent printed textiles
may play a key role in the design of products for the home to optimize cognitive
performance especially to facilitate easy and safe navigation in a dark environment
for the elderly.
Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. G. Vijaya Prakash, Nanophotonics Lab, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi,
110016, India for providing lab & support for Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectral Studies.
97
6 Conclusion
It may be concluded that in photoluminescent pigments aqua blue and yellow-green
pigment size, concentration and surface texture play a significant role, in the intensity of luminescence exhibited by the photoluminescent pigment printed textiles.
Pigments aqua blue and yellow-green at the particle size of 10–15 μm were visually
perceived best by the elderly at the photoluminescent pigment concentration of 20 %
of print paste for an average duration of 4.5 h. The average lux reading observed
was about 0.16 lux on cotton fabrics which is equal to starry night as per DlN67510
Standards. Dupion and Matka silk printed fabrics exhibited higher luminosity than
mulberry silk printed fabrics. This may be attributed to the coarse texture of these
fabrics which supported in the deposition of more PL pigments during printing than
the smooth fabric surface of mulberry silk fabric as per the SEM studies.
Though the lux value of the PL pigment printed fabrics was recorded below 1
lux, the luminosity of the PL printed samples is visually perceptible by all the users.
The elderly were able to perceive the photoluminescence of the photoluminescent
pigments aqua blue and yellow-green pigment in low nightlight conditions. It has
been perceived by the elderly that the photoluminescence exhibits a soft glow with
no glare. The luminosity does not cause disturbances in the sleep patterns of the
elderly.
Studies on real nighttime environment showed that a diverse range of products in
home fashion may be designed using photoluminescent pigment printed textiles.
Therefore photoluminescent pigments in print in the concentration of 20 % and
particle size of 10–15 μm may find applications in the design of interiors and soft
furnishings at home for the elderly. Photoluminescent printed fabrics may be used as
nightlight using for the elderly for safety and preventive measure. It may additionally
be used for edge definition and path lighting. The prints may be used as nightlight,
door handle covers for bathroom doors, refrigerators, etc., to help in navigation
at night. Cushions, table runners, carpet and area rugs, edge of bedding, curtains,
etc., maybe printed with photoluminescent pigments to facilitate navigation and path
lighting in home spaces. Thus aqua glow from these photoluminescent printed textiles
may play a key role in the design of products for the home to optimize cognitive
performance especially to facilitate easy and safe navigation in a dark environment
for the elderly.
Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. G. Vijaya Prakash, Nanophotonics Lab, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi,
110016, India for providing lab & support for Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectral Studies.