Crystal-free films offer new direction for next-generation mechanoluminescent materials
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Oct 29, 2025
Researchers on the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University have demonstrated mechanoluminescence in non-crystalline materials, difficult the widespread perception that crystals are required for this phenomenon. Mechanoluminescence, the emission of sunshine by materials subjected to mechanical motion, has historically relied on inflexible crystalline methods, which lose their properties as they fragment.
Professor Julia Khusnutdinova and her crew investigated a sequence of chemical compounds recognized for their photoluminescent capabilities. The researchers fabricated skinny, versatile films with out crystals and subjected them to completely different mechanical stimuli reminiscent of contact-separation and friction. Their experiments confirmed that mechanical stimulation generated localized electrical fields by electrification, thrilling the materials and surrounding gasoline. When protected by a plastic layer, the films produced mechanoluminescence with out being broken.
Dr Ayumu Karimata, first creator of the examine, said, “Traditionally, chemists have thought crystal fracture an essential step in generating mechanoluminescence. We have proved that’s not necessary. Our findings open up a vast array of possibilities in materials science, as they remove the need for complex crystal design and engineering when creating mechanoluminescent materials.”
The discovery helps future improvement of stimuli-responsive materials for industrial engineering and security, utilizing longer-lasting, non-crystalline films.
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Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University
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