Long-afterglow room temperature phosphorescent silica powders
Innovative carbon-containing silica powder offering long-lasting afterglow and high brightness with stability under harsh conditions, ideal for cosmetic applications like nail products.
Overview
The University of Connecticut has developed an advanced carbon-containing silica powder that features a long-lasting afterglow and high brightness. This patented technology achieves outstanding phosphorescent properties by trapping carbon dots within a rigid silica structure, effectively preventing energy loss and maintaining a glow visible for up to 40 seconds after lights are turned off. The material is metal-free and designed to withstand harsh chemical environments, making it suitable for various applications, including cosmetics.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Long-lasting afterglow of up to 40 seconds
- High brightness due to carbon dot encapsulation in silica
- Exceptional stability against strong chemicals, acids, bases, and polar solvents
- Metal-free composition suitable for environmentally sensitive applications
- Demonstrated application in nail products, providing designed colors under ambient conditions and a light blue glow in darkness
Technology readiness level
This technology is at Technology Readiness Level 6, indicating that it has been validated in relevant environments and is ready for demonstration in commercial applications, particularly in the cosmetic industry.
About University of Connecticut
UConn is a comprehensive public research university and the state’s flagship, with its main campus in Storrs and an academic medical center in Farmington. Industry engages through UConn Tech Park—anchored by the Innovation Partnership Building—with shared labs, pilot‑scale testbeds, and advanced prototyping for collaborators. Integration with UConn Health enables clinical collaborations and translation, while Hartford and Stamford campuses connect companies to talent along the New York–Boston corridor; a statewide extension network supports technology adoption. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, and DOD. A dedicated technology commercialization office and the Technology Incubation Program support IP, licensing, and startup incubation across multiple sites.
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