What is Luminous Fabric?

Luminous fabric (a.k.a. photoluminescent fabric) is a new type of textile that is based on either fiber optics or LEDs.  It uses low-voltage (3 to 5 volt) batteries in order to give off a pleasant glow in any imaginable color.  Different patterns and pictures can also be embedded within the fabric.

This fabric is different from neon or glow-in-the-dark fabric as it is subtler and thus better suited to various design schemes.  People are now coming up with creative ways in which to use this fabric, which will determine how popular this fabric will eventually become.  Some ideas that people have come up with already include:

• Pillows
• Table placemats and cloths
• Bedspreads
• Curtains
• Paintings

It could also be used in things, other than what we normally think of in terms of fabric, such as:

• Night clubs
• Temporary street signs
• Parties
• As decorations, especially for Halloween but also for Christmas too

Inventors are also working to embed sensors within the luminous fabric.  This will allow the fabric to respond to cues in the environment such as temperature, moisture or wind.  It is unimaginable what this could lead to.  Maybe such things as:

• A room that is covered with temperature-sensitive material
• A blouse that will respond to the vibrations that your heart makes

Clearly, there is a huge potential for this fabric.  In years to come we will be seeing it in homes, restaurants and clubs.  We will probably be surprised to see how it will be used though.