Using the light recycling technology invented by Glo-X managing director Kris McKenna and his brother Josh, the company developed a high-quality solvent-based acrylic illuminating paint and applied it to a range of unpowered mining safety lighting products that could be used in emergency shelters, egress routes and other mine areas in the event of a power blackout.
The technology uses a mix of rare earth minerals to generate a photoluminescence reaction rather than a phosphorescent reaction, which powers the run-of-mill luminescent or glow-in-the-dark products already available on the market.
Once fully charged for an hour by being exposed to a natural or artificial light source, products fitted out with the technology will consistently glow for more than 10 hours.
According to McKenna, there is a huge need for this technology in the safety side of mining, from line marking and safety markers on doorways to staircases or operational equipment and fire block or hazard signs.