Electroluminescent textile for therapeutic applications

Alternating-current (AC) electroluminescent (EL) devices on fabrics with high brightness are presented. The EL-devices were fabricated via knife coating; inorganic luminous pigments are based on zinc sulfide. Effects of parameters influencing the brightness were investigated. These parameters are the AC-voltage, AC-frequency, AC-waveform, layer composition of the luminous capacitor and the fabric. Introducing a flexible reflecting dielectric layer enhances the light yield on fine woven fabrics with green luminous pigment. This can be achieved with small concentrations of reflective white pigments such as titanium dioxide, maintaining the flexibility and bendability of the textile substrate. The produced luminous textiles are investigated as a possible replacement for light boxes used in the therapy of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). A high luminous emittance and a high portion of short and energy rich wavelengths are necessary for the treatment. Contrarily to state-of-the-art light boxes a higher acceptance of light therapy is expected, because a luminous textile can be integrated easily and unremarkably into the living environment