Michigan Patent of the Month – May 2022
Backyard pools are often surrounded by stonework as are patios, gardens, and any outdoor lounging areas. While setting up lights around the yard is one solution, it can be dangerous to lose your footing, twisting your ankle off the stonework, or falling into the pool. Glow Path Pavers, LLC has designed a type of photoluminescent sand which can be incorporated into stonework or set up as a filler to provide light and illumination along outdoor pathways.
Their sand can be used to create mortar and block products with photoluminescent qualities to create blocks, ceramic tiles, fascia panels and more. The sane itself is created by mixing play sand with a photoluminescent pigment and a binding and curing agent. The pigment is solar powered, gathering and storing light throughout the day and lighting up overnight. This reduces the need for artificial lights while lighting up your pathway for years, without ever needing to change a lightbulb.
By incorporating the photoluminescent pigment into the stonework itself, you always know where the pool is, or the pathway goes. Following rigorous testing, their creation is proven to provide continuous glow for 6-8 hours after dark, and last for thousands of charge/discharge cycles without losing their shine. Since they are incorporated into the stone, instead of simply a coating on top, they are not impacted by de-icing materials, acids, motor oils, or subject to scraping off over time.
The stones can be incorporated to create intricate patterns and designs while lighting a path. An outdoor light might go out, leaving homeowners or guests vulnerable to walking around in the dark.
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