CHEMILUMINESCENCE AS A SIGNALLING DEVICE

Abstract

Reliable and unique signalling devices are a military necessity and the vagaries of nocturnal operations on land and sea engender a constant search for improvements and innovations. The phenomenon of chemiluminescence has been under study as a simple, reliable means of producing a unique light that might be adaptable as a signalling device. The chemical compound commonly known as luminol remains the best producer of 'cold' light. Various attempts were made to oxidize the compound using reagents that would be safe to handle and easily available for field use but would be capable of producing a visible glow. It was found that the luminol can be oxidized with any ordinary chlorine-containing bleach to produce a greenish blue light that can be made to function as a flash or continuous glow that is visible from a considerable distance. Provided water is available, the method offers a means of signalling when electrical equipment of any kind is not available or has ceased to function. The phenomenon might also be used to create bizarre effects for psychological warfare.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0816135

Entities

People

  • J. Brennan Gisclard

Organizations

  • Flight Dynamics Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Classification
  • Cyanides
  • Dynamics
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Field Conditions
  • Flow Rate
  • Hydrogen
  • Luminescence
  • Materials
  • Psychological Warfare
  • Rocket Oxidizers
  • Security
  • Sodium Compounds
  • Sodium Hydroxide

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.