Introduction A glow stick is a plastic tube with two separate chemicals, that, when combined, create a neon-like glow. To create glow, bend the stick. They are not reusable, but last between 8-10 hours. Random Facts: waterproof, not safe for children under 3, can be stored for up to 2 years before use.

 Glow sticks are mainly used as a light source, for anybody from an ordinary camper to a soldier in the military.  They are sometimes used by fishermen as lures.  Are considered the only safe light source after an emergency situation since they don’t create a spark or use any kind of outside power.  Glow sticks are often used at dances and parties for entertainment.  Marching bands use them during nighttime performances.  They can be used by parents for keeping track of small children in the dark.

 Frank Arthen [1] and Laszlo J. Bollyky first invented Cyalume, a solid ester whose oxidation products are responsible for the chemiluminescence in a glow stick (Wilson 77). They were inspired by Edwin A. Chandross. [1]

EARLY VERSIONS  The earliest patent lists Bernard Dubrow and Eugene Daniel Guth as having invented a Packaged Chemiluminescent Material in June  Others included Clarence W. Gilliam, David Iba Sr., and Thomas N. Hall. TODAY’S VERSIONS  Today’s glow sticks most closely resemble that of Vincent J. Esposito, Steven M. Little, and John H. Lyons in 1976, who called it a Chemiluminescent Signal Device. It was intended to be used as a non- flammable signal device, an alternative to flares.

 The glow stick was improved upon in 1977 when a steel ball baring was put in the glow stick to more easily break the glass vile.

 A glow stick is a plastic tube with a hydrogen peroxide solution and a solution of phenyl oxalate ester with a florescent color to provide that desired color of the glow.  The hydrogen peroxide solution is contained in a small and a very thin glass vile in the plastic tubing. The phenyl oxalate ester surrounds the hydrogen peroxide solution so when the glass vial breaks the hydrogen peroxide will mix with the phenyl oxalate and undergo a chemical reaction that produces a glow from the two mixing.

 Manufacturers can change the concentrations of the two chemicals to make a brighter reaction that doesn’t last as long, or a dimmer one that lasts longer.  They can also manipulate the concentrations to compensate for hot or cold environments, which would change the activation energy required.

 Though incredibly safe to use, glow sticks can be slightly dangerous if broken. The hydrogen peroxide inside the tubes could cause skin irritation, swelling, vomiting or nausea.

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Don’t eat glow sticks

 I have always been interested in how glow sticks work. Seeing how they work and what happens in the process helps me have a better understanding of it. Also it made me realize that glow sticks are not the only ones to use the same process to make a chemical reaction, many heat packs use the same thing having a breakable pouch that has a reactant inside of it to mix in with a solution to make a reaction occur. It’s nice knowing how that many other processes are used the same regardless of what the outcome they want is.