Hackmanite

This Weird Rock Naturally Glows in The Dark, And Now Scientists Have Figured Out How

A combination of both experimental and computational data was studied to determine that the concentrations and balance of sulfur, potassium, titanium, and iron were most important when it came to the afterglow given off by hackmanite.

In particular, titanium was found to be the element actually glowing, with the glow itself powered by electron transfer.

However, titanium concentrations alone are not enough to create luminescence, with the right mix of other elements also required.

The researchers say that synthetic materials can be improved and made more efficient and reliable through these sorts of studies – even if nature isn't able to match the strength of the glows that can be engineered in the lab.

Hackmanite—The Natural Glow-in-the-Dark Material

The bands are centered at around 615 nm and they present the expected vibronic contributions with ca. 550 cm–1 separation as recently confirmed by quantum chemical calculations.

Learn the Magical Reason Why Some Minerals Transform Color

So which minerals have a special “superpower” like this? Hackmanite, which is a variety of sodalite, is one of the most commonly cited tenebrescent minerals. Varieties found in Quebec and Greenland move from a deep violet/pink to a greenish-white color when left in bright light. However, hackmanite quarried in Afghanistan and Burma starts off white and gains a pink color when exposed to sunlight.

While hackmanite might be one of the easiest minerals to transform, there are several others that are also tenebrescent. These include spodumene, which darkens when exposed to high-energy radiation, and some light-colored varieties of tugtupite. In tugtupite, pale pink varieties gain an intensity of color when exposed to shortwave UV light or strong sunlight.

In case that wasn't cool enough, there are many minerals that are capable of different visual and color transformations. In fact, tenebrescence is often confused with fluorescence, which is the ability for some minerals to emit light when they've absorbed light or radiation. It is actually much more common than tenebrescence—15% of minerals are able to fluoresce. While some minerals fluoresce in their pure form, most show this ability when they contain impurities called activators. Activators can include magnesium, lead, copper, and titanium.

TRUMPF and SICK to Develop Industrial Quantum Sensor

TRUMPF subsidiary Q.ANT and sensor specialist SICK signed a collaboration agreement for the development of industrial quantum sensors. The signing was preceded by a successful demonstration of what the companies say is the first quantum optical sensor for serial production.

Under the agreement, SICK will be responsible for application development and sale of the product; Q.ANT is to take on production. The first use of the quantum sensors is planned for 2021.