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Illuminated Strip? I need a strip of material (3x9cm) that illuminates via electricity.

I need a strip of material (3x9cm) that illuminates when an electrical current is somehow applied. Does such a product exist? Or would I need to fashion one out of a semi-translucent (fogged) material with LEDs?

2 answers
Aug 31, 2009. 6:27 PMseandogue says:
Yes, there is a material suited for such an application..It is known as electro luminescent paneling, EL lamps, or variants of those terms, and it's sold in a variety of shapes (precut) as well as in bulk sheet. EL lamps require a high voltage power supply, but they run from relatively low power supplies. For instance, I have a ~6x9 panel that I received as a sample years ago that runs off a 9V battery at mA currents. The high V supply can cause quite a shock, as most who've used them can attest, so they need to be treated with respect.. Overall they're very easy to use.

However, they are not terribly bright and are best suited for backlighting and similar applications

Her's a link to a quick search:

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=ytff-yff3&p=electro+luminescent+panels
Aug 31, 2009. 10:40 PMfrollard says:
Seconded

Another name for them is more commonly EL - as sean suggests, when searching.

There are LOTS of stores that sell the stuff. Brighter = more power and less efficient, but exactly what you need!

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